Trump also cited the World Trade Organisation, whom he has criticised on several occasions for not taking any action against China, as an example of failure of multilateral agreements.
Abe, before his departure for Palm Beach in Florida where he was welcomed by Trump, had expressed his desire to discuss the US’s possible return to the TPP, although he ruled out returning to the negotiating table to allow the US to accept the deal.
A modified TPP, called the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), was signed by the 11 remaining countries on March 8, after the US had made its exit.
The agreement signed by Brunei, Australia, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, is expected to enter into force by the end of 2018.
