HANNOVER, Germany — In the face of domestic and foreign opposition, President Barack Obama delivered Sunday a strong defense of international trade deals, saying such agreements strengthen the economy and make U.S. businesses more competitive worldwide.
Obama, on a farewell visit to Germany, is trying to counter public skepticism about a trans-Atlantic trade deal with Europe, while also facing criticism from the 2016 presidential candidates of a pending Asia-Pacific trade pact.
Proponents say the deal would boost business at a time of global economic uncertainty. Critics fear the erosion of consumer protections and environmental standards.
Obama said he was confident the trans-Atlantic trade deal could be completed by the end of year and presented for ratification.
"If we don't complete negotiations this year, then upcoming political transitions in the United States and Europe could mean this agreement won't be finished for quite some time," he said.
Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke at the opening of the Hannover Messe, the world's largest industrial technology trade fair, where Obama made the case for swift action on the trade deal known as TTIP. The trade pact is a hard sell in much of Europe, particularly Germany.
Thousands of people took to the streets in Hannover to protest the deal Saturday before Obama arrived. In November, more than 100,000 people in Berlin protested against the proposed pact.
Merkel also used Obama's visit as an occasion to invite the leaders of France, Britain and Italy to Hannover for a meeting Monday to discuss Syria, Libya, the Islamic State, migration and other issues.