Despite TransCanada's lawsuit and NAFTA complaint, White House is confident its decision rests on solid legal ground.

Now that the White House has released more detail on the development of the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which will require future votes of approval by the U.S. Congress as well as approval from the participating nations, it has become clearer that the basic goal and direction is sound: eliminating tariffs in some industries, reducing non-tariff barriers in others.