LOC20:53
17:53 GMT
WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- President Donald Trump on Monday signed a memorandum to pull the US out of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.
The move was seen mostly as a formality, since the agreement has not been ratified by the US Senate.
Trump campaigned as an opponent of TPP, as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying such pacts cost the US factory jobs.
The 11 other nations in TPP represent about 13.5 percent of the global economy, according to World Bank figures.
The President also signed a memorandum freezing most federal government hiring, though he noted an exception for the military.
In addition, he signed an order reinstating a ban on providing federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option. (end)
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