The United States and 11 other Pacific Rim countries have agreed what is described as a historic but also controversial deal to free up trade and harmonise standards.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) needs to be approved by the US Congress – where there’s been some initial scepticism – and the other nations’ parliaments.

Five years in the making, the deal between the 12 countries will reportedly affect some 800 million people and 40 percent of the world’s economy, influencing trade in everything from dairy produce to cancer treatment.

President Obama welcomed the agreement for his administration, it reflects America’s values and is fair to workers.

“We expect this historic agreement to promote economic growth, support higher paying jobs, enhance innovation productivity and competitiveness, raise living standards, reduce poverty in our countries, and to promote transparency, good governance, and strong labour and environmental protections,” said Michael Froman, the US trade r