Watch: President Obama sings Rihanna with Jimmy Fallon to explain the importance of the TPP
It’s no secret that Donald Trump wants to do away with the Trans-Pacific Partnership and implement his own trade rules abroad (many of which, economists say, will lead the United States into a recession and put Americans out of work). The TPP is a "disaster," he said Tuesday night, "almost as bad as NAFTA."
"We are going, and remember this, we are only going to have great trade deals," Trump has said, and he doesn't care if his policies, which include export taxes on China, lead to trade wars.
On Thursday night, President Barack Obama had a response, in the form of a smooth slow jam, in an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
"I believe it is of the utmost importance to work alongside other leaders. That's why I signed the Iran nuclear deal, that’s why we reopened diplomatic ties with Cuba, and that is why I negotiated the new trade deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP," Obama said, to the backdrop of the Roots.
"Now, hold on there, Prez dispenser. Are you saying you’re down with TPP?" Fallon responded.
"Yeah, you know me. Look, Jimmy, the TPP allows American businesses to sell their products both at home and abroad. The more we sell abroad, the more higher-paying jobs we provide at home. It’s that simple," Obama said.
"So what are you saying, that this trade deal would put Americans back to work, work, work, work, work?" Fallon said, singing Rihanna as Obama joined in.
Because, among many other things, Rihanna’s work is also relevant when explaining the importance of multinational trade partnerships.