Can Donald Trump better renegotiate Nafta? Yes, by bringing back TPP

Bringing more countries into Nafta will ease disputes and boost trade. Trouble is, the US had all those benefits - it was called the Trans Pacific Partnership

Donald Trump's administration says it is sticking with its campaign promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta). Indeed, Trump has now reiterated his intention to invoke the procedures for renegotiating Nafta soon (within "the next two weeks"), triggering a 90-day consultation period with Congress, before talks with Mexico and Canada commence. Assuming that happens - a very big if - it is worth asking how renegotiation could be done right.

Of course, the US president could simply decide to abandon his promise to renegotiate Nafta, which may be unpopular with many Americans, but is considered by economists to have been beneficial. After all, he has dropped many other campaign pledges, including (fortunately) his oft-repeated vow to label China a currency manipulator "on day one" of his administration.

Related: Trump is reckless - but he knows he can't afford to antagonise China | Barry Eichengreen