Trump vows to withdraw from TPP to "put America first"

PanARMENIAN.Net - Donald Trump has announced the United States will signal its withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal on his first day in the White House, as one of six immediate steps aimed at "putting America first," AFP reports.

The Republican billionaire -- who for 10 days has been sounding out cabinet picks at his Trump Tower offices in New York -- made the pledge in a short video message.

The 70-year-old property tycoon outlined a list of priorities for his first 100 days and executive actions to be taken "on day one" -- on half a dozen issues from trade to immigration, national security and ethics -- in a push to "reform Washington and rebuild our middle class."

"My agenda will be based on a simple core principle: putting America first," said the president-elect, whose victorious campaign tapped the anger of working-class Americans who feel left behind by globalization, singling out trade deals such as the TPP as key culprits.

"On trade, I am going to issue our notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster for our country," said Trump, who takes office January 20.

"Instead, we will negotiate fair, bilateral trade deals that bring jobs and industry back onto American shores," he said.

Both the 12-nation TPP and the North American Free Trade Agreement featured heavily in the brutal White House race -- accused of harming the US economy and jobs -- and many see Trump's victory as a repudiation of ever-deeper commercial ties.