US President Barack Obama says he is willing to pursue international commerce agreements even if they are unpopular with Democrats.
Obama is seeking to assure Democratic activists and donors that his trade policies will protect US jobs and environmental rules.
He was speaking about the Trans-Pacific Partnership on Thursday at a gathering of Organizing for Action, the group that grew from his presidential campaign organisation.
Obama said critics who say a trade deal with 11 Pacific countries is bad for working families "don't know what they're talking about".
He said the US is "not going to stop the global economy at our shores".
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Many labour unions are opposed to giving Obama fast-track authority to negotiate trade deals, arguing that past deals have cost US jobs.
The trade deal will be at the top of Obama's agenda when he hosts Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House next week.
Potential signatories to the Trans-Pacific Partnership include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.
