BEAVERTON, United States — Nike Inc. and its partners will create as many as 10,000 U.S. manufacturing and engineering jobs over the next decade if Congress approves fast-track trade legislation and a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement is finalised, according to the company.

Nike, which produces athletic footwear and clothing, made the announcement Friday, hours before President Barack Obama is to speak at the company’s Beaverton, Oregon, headquarters.

Obama is promoting the trade agreement and fast-track authority, which allows for an up-or-down vote on trade deals that have been negotiated by the president, as a way to expand U.S. exports and jobs. Obama has yet to persuade many members of his own party to support his view, including lawmakers whose votes he needs in Congress.

Obama’s alignment with Nike has drawn criticism from free- trade opponents who say the company has a record of paying low wages to overseas labourers.

Nike, which has 26,000 U.S. employees, said in a statement that if the trade package goes forward, footwear tariff relief will accelerate its U.S. investment in developing new manufacturing methods and a domestic supply chain.

Nike didn’t say how many of the 10,000 manufacturing and engineering jobs would be created by the company versus its partners. In addition to expanding its own staff, Nike said it may indirectly create 40,000 supply chain and service jobs over a decade.

"We believe agreements that encourage free and fair trade allow Nike to do what we do best: innovate, expand our business and drive economic growth," Nike Chief Executive Officer Mark Parker said in a statement.

By Margaret Talev; editors: Joe Sobczyk, Justin Blum, Nick Turner.