Pauline Hanson 'very pleased' to see Trump pull out of TPP

Pauline Hanson has welcomed US president Donald Trump’s decision to officially end America’s involvement in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) mega free trade deal with Australia, New Zealand, Japan and eight other Asia Pacific nations. Hanson said she is very pleased that Trump has pulled out of it.

She did not support the trade deal in the first place, and now she is “very pleased” with the developments. The One Nation leader is confident Australia will follow suit.

“I’m sure it will flow onto Australia (and) we won’t go ahead with it,” Hanson said. The One Nation leader has admitted that she had grave concerns on past free trade agreements and prefers to deal with them on a case-by-case basis.

Hanson said she would like to look at doing free trade with countries on an individual needs basis. She would rather focus on what is in the best interest of the country.

Killing the United State’s involvement from the TPP has been one of Trump’s first major moves since his inauguration on Friday. America’s mega free trade deal with Australia and other countries was negotiated under former president Barack Obama.

On Monday, Trump said he aimed to pursue “fair trade” instead of free trade. The president has laid out his plans to cut regulations for businesses in the US and company tax rate.

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo said he is already having discussions with Canada, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia about working towards an alternative. The government would endorse the TPP even without the US.

Aside from the TPP, Australia also takes part of negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in the Asia Pacific region. The RCEP may pave the way for a free trade deal between countries including Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.