WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is trying to rally hundreds of thousands of eBay sellers to get behind a proposed trade deal between the U.S. and 11 other countries.

Obama intends to sign the deal, but he could face a tough task in getting Congress to ratify it.

Obama says the Trans Pacific Partnership will help preserve a free and open Internet. The growth among Internet users is greatest in developing regions like Southeast Asia and Obama says "they're looking to connect and buy from sellers like you."

He says one chapter in the agreement is dedicated to e-commerce. It establishes rules that ensure companies and consumers can access and move data freely without facing arbitrary blocking of their websites.

Obama's message is being emailed to more than 600,000 eBay members.