I read Thursday's reports ("Trump pulls back on hardline rhetoric" and "Trump strikes more cordial note on range of issues") with some optimism, in particular, on United States President-elect Donald Trump's change of heart on climate change and torture as a tool against terror suspects, and his condemnation of the alt-right.

As a multibillionaire businessman, the President-elect knows too well that any increase in world trade would be generally beneficial to all.

Nations that can produce goods and services cheaper and better win the day.

This may take some time, but it should not be too long before he has a change of heart about the benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Gan Kok Tiong