Trump's TPP plan leaves Tokyo in confusion

Tokyo

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump's announcement on Tuesday that he intends to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement as soon as he takes office on Jan 20 has thrown Japan's political leadership into confusion after Tokyo had strongly backed the deal.

The announcement by Mr Trump in a video outlining his policy plans came within hours of a comment made by Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe during a visit to Buenos Aires, that the 12-nation TPP which the US has agreed to but not yet ratified would be "meaningless" without the US.