The Obama administration is certain a completed Pacific trade agreement will boost U.S. economic growth and exports, while codifying an American interpretation of international trade rules at the start of the 21st century.

Judging by the slog it took to extract Trade Promotion Authority from Congress, the rest of America isn’t exactly convinced. But soon we may have an actual agreement to review. Now that the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations are nearing the final stages, we’ll be able to see for ourselves if those bold claims — currently relegated to conjecture until the deal is signed and the text is released — will withstand scrutiny.