It’s a long shot, but one worth taking for President Obama. His languishing Pacific region trade deal could get a final chance at approval in a lame duck session of Congress after Tuesday’s smoke-clearing election.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is the unwanted child in the presidential race with Donald Trump dead set against free trade treaties and Hillary Clinton changing from advocate to critic. With neither candidate embracing the 12-nation pact that lowers tariffs and imposes commercial rules, Obama is hoping for a win before his successor takes office in January.

The White House is rolling out a fresh report from its panel of economic advisers, who say failure to approve the deal will give China more sway in trade. Beijing is left out of the partnership.

The president’s team is also boosting its ground game. Top trade negotiator Michael Froman visited Nashville to talk up the home state advantages for Tennessee: better copyright protections for country music and lower tariffs for whiskey.

This week Japan, the second-biggest economy in the trade pact, took a major step toward approving the deal in a parliamentary vote. That move should help Congress to follow suit.

The deal remains a plus for American industry and workers who can export more cheaply and with a common set of protections. In export-heavy California already focused on Asia, the partnership makes extra sense. Obama’s final months in office could produce a needed win on trade.