Australia sticks to TPP despite Trump's abandonment: minister

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is an agreement of unprecedented scope and ambition, which the Australian government will continue to advocate strongly, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said on Sunday.

"TPP promises new export opportunities for our farmers, services suppliers and goods exporters. It promises to support the growth of trade in our region, contributing to economic growth and new jobs," Ciobo said.

"(U.S.) President (Donald) Trump's decision not to ratify the TPP at this time is disappointing, although not unexpected," he said, referring to the White House's statement soon after Trump's inauguration that its trade strategy to protect American jobs will start with withdrawal from the 12-nation trade pact.

"The TPP is too important as a driver of the creation of more Australian jobs not to do all we can to see the agreement enter into force," Ciobo said.

"The Turnbull government does not shy away from standing up for what is in our national interest - continuing our strong advocacy on the benefits of the TPP is no different."

Ciobo said he had taken time to talk with his TPP counterparts on ways to lock in the benefits from the TPP, without the United States if need be.

"This week at the World Economic Forum I met with Japan, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, New Zealand and Malaysia to discuss alternatives."

"The shape this takes will be the subject of discussion over coming months. A number of options are available to us and there is a strong desire to ensure the benefits of the TPP are not lost."

He also indicated that the Australian government would like the parliament to ratify TPP, sending the strongest message on the importance of the TPP and called on the opposition to support.

"It would be a clear statement from the Australian Parliament that we reject protectionism and that open markets are the path to long-term sustainable job creation." Endit