Advanced Search

Share Coverage



Category: Business, Economics and Finance / Trade / World Politics / International Law / US Elections

'Great thing for the American worker': Trump cancels trade deal

Tuesday, 24 Jan 2017 03:00:52 | Conor Duffy

Donald Trump prepares to sign the executive order to withdraw the US from the trade pact. (AP: Evan Vucci)

US President Donald Trump has signed executive orders withdrawing America from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and instituting a government hiring freeze.

Key points:

  • Trump made election promise to withdraw USA from TPP
  • TPP was main economic pillar of Obama administration's 'pivot' to the Asia-Pacific region
  • Australia willing to work with other participating countries of multilateral deal

In an Oval Office ceremony, Mr Trump delivered on his campaign promise to formally withdraw from the TPP, which was negotiated by Barack Obama between 12 countries including Australia.

Mr Trump, who has said the agreement would harm the US economy, said the order was a "great thing for the American worker".

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Mr Trump, who also met with top business leaders, would move away from multilateral trade policies toward bilateral trade that puts the United States first.

Mr Spicer said the business leaders' meeting included a "really great" exchange of ideas and the group would reconvene again in a month.

The move is basically a formality, since the agreement had yet to receive required Senate ratification.

Trade experts earlier said that approval was unlikely to happen given voters' anxiety about trade deals and the potential for job losses.

The accord had been the main economic pillar of the Obama administration's "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region to counter China.

Fact file: The Trans-Pacific Partnership

It's been referred to as 'the dodgiest deal you've never heard of' and now, Fact Check answers your questions on the TPP.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe reiterated their commitment to the TPP, despite Mr Trump's opposition, in a phone call last night.

Mr Turnbull also offered Mr Abe his condolences over the death of a Japanese citizen in the deadly car rampage in Melbourne's Bourke St on Friday, while ABC News understands Mr Abe expressed his sympathy in return.

Australia's Trade Minister Steve Ciobo yesterday said the Federal Government was willing to work with the other 10 participating countries to find a way forward for the TPP.

"If it comes to pass that we need to make small changes in order to capture the benefits of the TPP and not have the United States as part of it, well then, so be it," he said.

But he agreed access to the US market was an incentive for countries to sign up in the first place.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has pronounced the TPP as "dead in the water", claiming the Government's pursuit of the deal is "a waste of time".

Mr Trump also signed an order instituting a federal hiring freeze.

"Except for the military, except for the military," he said.

Mr Trump signed a third order banning non-governmental US-funded organisations working abroad from providing or promoting abortions.

Why I'm rallying against Trump

I'll be marking Donald Trump's first day in office by marching to stand up against the hatred and bigotry he represents.

The rule, earlier lifted by Mr Obama when he took office in 2009, has been used by incoming presidents to signal their positions on abortions and was created by former president Ronald Reagan in 1984.

The rule signed by Mr Trump, an abortion opponent, affects groups getting funding from the US Agency for International Development, even if they use separate money for abortion services, counselling or referrals, advocates said.

It comes two days after millions of people marched in cities in the US and around the world, expressing concern women's rights will be eroded under Mr Trump.

'Sometimes we can disagree with the facts'

Meanwhile, Mr Spicer used his first official White House briefing to hit back at questions about his integrity.

It followed his comments about Mr Trump's inauguration crowd size being "the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe" — which have been disputed by major media outlets.

Mr Spicer was asked if he intended to tell the truth when he addressed the media.

"It's an honour to do this, and yes — I believe we have to be honest with the American people," he said.

"I think sometimes we can disagree with the facts.

"There are certain things we might not fulling understand when we come out, but our intention is never to lie."

Rubio backs Tillerson as secretary of state

Meanwhile, Republican senator Marco Rubio reluctantly backed Mr Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, in a move that all but secures Senate confirmation of the former Exxon Mobil Corp chief executive as the nation's top diplomat.

What Tillerson thinks on key issues


From Russia to nuclear weapons and climate change, see where Rex Tillerson stands - and how his views compare to Donald Trump's.

Mr Rubio said he was troubled by Mr Tillerson's recent responses before politicians regarding Russia as well as other countries, but that he ultimately decided he would vote to approve the nominee in deference to Mr Trump, as well as to fill a critical top job.

"Despite my reservations, I will support Mr Tillerson's nomination in committee and in the full Senate," he said in a statement ahead of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's vote.

A vote in the Republican-controlled Senate was expected shortly after the committee vote.

Mr Tillerson is expected to win confirmation, despite opposition from Democrats.

Mr Rubio, a one-time rival to Mr Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, said he would not be so deferential regarding Mr Trump's other nominees for top State Department posts.

ABC/wires

AustraliaPlus


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend