Obama argues for the Trans-Pacific trade pact while visiting Nike's headquarters in Oregon

US President Barack Obama argued forcefully for the Trans-Pacific trade deal, saying the United States must write the rules for global commerce now, while it's in a position of economic strength, or lose out.

"If we don't write the rules for trade around the world, guess what? China will," Obama said on Friday, making his case at the Oregon headquarters of the athletic apparel and footwear company Nike. "And they'll write those rules in a way that gives Chinese workers and Chinese businesses the upper hand."

Nike was a curious choice for the president's speech, given criticism of its labour practices over the years.

But the company pledged on Friday to create up to 10,000 jobs in the US over the next decade with its manufacturing partners if Congress gives Obama fast-track trade negotiating authority that ultimately leads to the 12-country Trans-Pacific trade deal.

Nike said the trade deal would allow it to take advantage of lower tariffs on shoes and speed up investments in footwear manufacturing in the US.

Negotiations over the deal have put Obama in the awkward position of publicly battling with Democratic allies who normally would support him, including many lawmakers, labour unions and environmentalists.

Opponents fear the deal would lead to jobs being shifted overseas.