As Promised, President Trump Withdraws From The Trans-Pacific Partnership

In one of the first big moves of his administration, President Donald Trump has abandoned the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement after signing an executive order to withdraw from the trade deal.

The partnership included 12 countries representing 40 percent of the world’s economic output, notably excluding China, in a NAFTA like agreement of free trade to boost America’s position in the Asia-Pacific region.

The move doesn't come as a surprise, as Trump called it a “horrible deal” during his campaign. The TPP was considered Barack Obama’s signature trade deal under his administration.

“Everyone knows what that means, we have been talking about this for a long time,” said Trump as he signed the order to withdraw from the deal. “Great thing for the American worker, what we just did."

Some of the countries included in the deal have suggested a new deal could be possible without the U.S. involvement, but Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the TPP with the US would be “meaningless,” according to a report from the BBC.

In a recent interview with NPD's Matt Powell, the shoe industry expert said the TPP would have benefited just about everybody in the industry.