Michael Froman Photo: Medill News Service

Outgoing US Trade Representative Michael Froman warned that the US would cede the right of making the international trade rules to China if US President-elect Donald Trump withdraws the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

The American top trade negotiator made the remarks at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies last week.

Optimistic about the prospects of the TPP, Froman argued that Trump needs to walk away from his campaign position on the TPP, saying that a quit will dwarf the US' role in the Asia Pacific region at a time when the US and China have differences in areas of product quality standards, copyright system and flow of information.

Froman exhorted federal officials to make an "all-out and long-term effort" to make clear to Americans how trade improves their lives amid concerns that international trade will hurt US jobs and the economy.

During the presidential election, Trump labeled the TPP as a rape of the US, and pledged to quit from the international trade deal on his first day in office.

Froman interpreted the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as parts of Beijing's ambition to seek the leadership in the region. Whether the federal government will push forward with the TPP is an option that will determine the future of American workers and the economy, added Froman. He is also optimistic that the TPP will "find its way".

Froman revealed that officials of the current US Trade Representative Office had contacted Trump's trade team, but he had no idea about the trade policies to be adopted by the next administration.

Trump nominated Robert Lighthizer as the next US trade representative, who has been critical of trade with China.

(The article is translated and edited by Ding Yi.)