Who killed the TPP?

An evaluation of societal influence upon the decision of the US’ withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Abstract

This paper investigates the conditions which led the United States to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade agreement. The funnel of causality framework is used to determine which
causes were mostly predominant in leading to this foreign policy decision. The paper will examine the impact of societal sources, specifically public opinion, media coverage, Congressional approval
processes, and interest groups. The role of each group is analysed within the context of the 2016 Presidential elections. The paper concludes that public opinion, amplified by media, is the source of
Congress’ opposition, and having trumped major interest groups, public opinion has evidently contributed to US’ withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.