Trumps Says the US Will Quit Pacific Trade Deal On Day 1 of Office

“My agenda will be based on a simple core principle: putting America first,” US President-elect Donald Trump said.

File photo of US President-elect Donald Trump during a rally in New York on 9 November 2016. (Photo: AP)

US President-elect Donald Trump outlined plans on Monday for his first day in office. His plans include withdrawing from a major trade accord and investigating abuses of work visa programs.

Trump, who has not held a news conference since his election, issued a video on Monday evening outlining some of his plans for his first day in office, including formally declaring his intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, trade deal, which he called "a potential disaster for our country".

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that the TPP “would be meaningless without the United States”.

My agenda will be based on a simple core principle: Putting America first. Whether it’s producing steel, building cars or curing disease, I want the next generation of production and innovation to happen right here on our great homeland, America, creating wealth and jobs for American workers.

Donald Trump, US President-elect

Outgoing US President Barack Obama with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC on 10 November 2016. (Photo: AP)

TPP Withdrawal Central to Trump Camp

Democratic President Barack Obama's signature 12-nation trade initiative TPP was signed by the US earlier in 2016 but has not been ratified by the US Senate.

The President-elect said he would replace the accord with bilaterally negotiated trade deals that would "bring jobs and industry back onto American shores".

He promised to direct the Labour Department to investigate abuses of visa programs for immigrant workers. The main US visa program for technology workers could face tough scrutiny under Trump and his proposed attorney general, US Senator Jeff Sessions, a longtime critic of the program.

Trump had made eliminating regulations and withdrawing from the TPP central to his campaign, but he sent mixed signals during the campaign about his views on visa programs including the main H-1B visa for high-tech industry workers.

Trump Met Cabinet Hopefuls

Trump also met with Cabinet hopefuls at his Manhattan office tower. Mary Fallin, Tulsi Gabbard and Rick Perry were the latest of dozens of officials who have made their way across the opulent lobby of Trump Tower since his election.

Republican Governor Gabbard's spokesman said her discussion with Trump focussed on the Interior Department, an agency whose responsibilities include oversight of oil and gas leases on public lands.

Trump met with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Democratic US Representative Tulsi Gabbard and former Texas Governor Rick Perry. But he announced no further appointments, keeping candidates and the public guessing about the shape of the administration that will take office on 20 January.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista Gingrich at Trump Tower on Monday, 21 November 2016, in New York after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. (Photo: AP)

Trump also met with former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and Elaine Chao, the US labour secretary under former President George W Bush, advisers said.

Trump's transition team said Perry, the former Texas Governor, was being considered for Cabinet posts including defence, energy and veterans’ affairs.

File photo of US President-elect Donald Trump with pro-Brexit British politician Nigel Farage on Wednesday, 24 August 2016. (Photo: AP)

Trump also returned to Twitter on Monday night favouring Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage for the position of British ambassador to the US.

(This article has been edited for length.)