"The path toward a world more peaceful, prosperous and fair world begins with passing TPA," Kerry and Carter wrote in a USA Today opinion piece.
In order for the United States to maintain its global leadership, top US officials emphasize the need for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, involving nearly 40 percent of the global economy.
In addition to strengthening alliances with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the secretaries stressed the role played by such agreements in promoting US interests globally.
"Like the rest of President Obama's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, finalizing TPP would reaffirm that America will be a leader in the region for decades to come," Kerry and Carter assert.
TPP is one of three trade agreements between the United States and other countries currently being negotiated.
Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) is being negotiated between the United States and 23 other nations, primarily in Europe and South America. Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) involves trade between the United States and the European Union.
All three agreements are controversial due to the secretive nature of the ongoing talks and the lack of access to their full texts.
Proponents argue that TISA, TTIP and TPP will boost growth, development and innovation, while critics predict that the agreements will violate human rights, depress wages and threaten US jobs.
