What does "other countries at the expense of American jobs and national sovereignty." mean ?
Former President Barack Obama treated trade deals as a priority during his tenure, and this particular deal would have bolstered America's position in the Asia-Pacific region, where China is growing in influence.
But US opponents have characterised the TPP as a secretive deal that favoured big business and other countries at the expense of American jobs and national sovereignty.

Question

What does "other countries at the expense of American jobs and national sovereignty." mean ?
Former President Barack Obama treated trade deals as a priority during his tenure, and this particular deal would have bolstered America's position in the Asia-Pacific region, where China is growing in influence. 
But US opponents have characterised the TPP as a secretive deal that favoured big business and other countries at the expense of American jobs and national sovereignty.

Answer

at the expense of=in a way that harms (something or someone)

So it means that the deal would be good for big business and other countries but be harmful for American jobs and national sovereignty. In other words, the US would lose jobs and national sovereignty.

Does that help?

Answers · 1

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