Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Your Excellency, thank you so much for being here today and spending your time with us.
During your opening remarks you talked a lot about the economic importance of a trade deal like the TPP, but you also alluded to the geopolitical importance of it. I wonder if you could elaborate a little on that for those of us on this side of the Pacific who don't necessarily have the same appreciation you might have for the importance of the geopolitical component of whatever arrangement comes forward as we work together.