BECAUSE PRESIDENTS ARE NOT JUDGED BY TRADE ALONE:

President Obama told top business executives Wednesday that there was "definitely a deal to be done" on corporate taxes with congressional Republicans, but work needs to begin soon before a limited window closes as the 2106 presidential election approaches.

Obama expressed "cautious optimism" because there is general agreement among many Democrats and Republicans on the need to eliminate some business tax breaks and to lower the 35% corporate tax rate, which is the highest among advanced economies.

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