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Roundup: TPP exit, job creation top Trump's first 100-day plan in office

Xinhua, November 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Monday unveiled his first 100-day plan in office, which is topped by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and creating jobs.

"I'm going to issue a notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster for our country," Trump said.

Trump made the remarks in a short video less than three minutes long, in which he outlined specific policies for his tenure for the first time since his victory in the presidential election earlier this month.

"Instead, we'll negotiate fair bilateral trade deals that bring jobs and industry onto American shores," he added.

The TPP, a free trade pact between 12 Asia-Pacific countries, has been signed but not yet ratified by U.S. lawmakers. During his election campaign, Trump had said he strongly opposed the deal.

Rebuilding the middle class in the United States is a priority of his new policies, Trump said.

Other initiatives boosting job numbers include loosening regulations on the energy sector.

"I will cancel job-killing restrictions on the productions of American energy, including shale energy and clean coal, creating many millions of high-paying jobs," Trump said.

A probe into visa abuses headed by the labor department would also be conducted, in order to stop illegal immigrants from undercutting U.S. laborers, Trump said.

Political reform is also high on the agenda, as Trump pledged to "drain the swamp" in Washington.

Specific plans include imposing a five-year ban on executive officials becoming lobbyists after they leave the administration, and a lifetime ban on their lobbying on behalf of a foreign government.

Also to cut red tape, Trump said for every new regulation being implemented, the government will cut two old ones.

The 100-day plan also touched on national security, outlining a "comprehensive plan to protect America's vital infrastructure from cyber attacks and all other form of attacks."

Notably missing from the plan are the president-elect's previous promises to build a wall along the Mexican border and to amend Obamacare, two highly controversial issues that have won him as much criticism as praise.

Reception of Trump's plan is mixed, with many applauding him for the courage to make changes, while others are alarmed by the environmental impact of his energy plans.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week, health care reform was the top issue U.S. citizens want to see addressed in Trump's first 100 presidential days. Jobs and immigration came in second and third.

The plan was released amid a flurry of meetings Trump is conducting with potential candidates for unfilled government positions, the more important of which include the defense secretary and the secretary of state.

Trump said his transitioning team is working "smoothly, efficiently and effectively," and is bringing in "talented" people.

Trump clinched the presidency earlier this month after beating Democrat Hillary Clinton. He is now in the process of forming his administration and preparing to officially take over the White House on Jan. 20 next year. Endi