The American Soybean Association (ASA) welcomed the commitment from President Barack Obama to trade and its promise for the American economy. Specifically, ASA looks forward to continuing its cooperation with the administration to advance the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as further normalization of trade relations with Cuba. ASA President Richard Wilkins, a farmer from Greenwood, Del., issued the following statement after the State of the Union address on Tuesday night: “The commitment of this administration to trade is something that we have appreciated at every turn, and the President’s final State of the Union address this evening shows that course will continue throughout the year. “We understand that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is going to be a heavy lift this year, but we are excited to continue our press to see it passed by our Congress and ratified. The promise of the TPP for soybean farmers is too great to accept anything less, and we are very encouraged to hear the president continue his focus on the TPP in the year to come.