President Barack Obama is sticking to pledges to finish a Pacific trade pact with 11 other nations as early as this year, despite unfavorable winds from Japan and Capitol Hill.

Mr. Obama, whom Republicans frequently criticize for not flying the flag of his free trade policy, on Friday said after a meeting with New Zealand’s prime minister that a framework for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, could be finished by the time of an Asia-Pacific leaders’ gathering in November.

“We discussed a timeline where before the end of the year we are able to get a document that can create jobs both in New Zealand and the United States and the other countries that are participating,” Mr. Obama said.