A key U.S. senator said Friday the Obama administration may have to renegotiate parts of the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, heralding a tough battle to win support in Congress.
The administration notified lawmakers Thursday it plans to sign the 12-nation TPP, starting a countdown to a congressional vote that could come in the middle of next year's election campaign.
But U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, a Republican whose support will be crucial to passing the deal, said that although he reserves judgment on the fine print, negotiators might have to go back to the table.