PM did not discuss TPP with Trump

Details of a phone conversation between Malcolm Turnbull and Donald Trump remain sketchy, but the prime minister is said to be happy with what he heard.

US President Donald J. Trump

File image of US President Donald Trump (AAP) Source: UPI POOL

Malcolm Turnbull has steered clear of raising the seemingly doomed Pacific-wide trade pact with US President Donald Trump.

The prime minister said he had a "constructive" near half-hour phone call with Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday, congratulating the pair on their inauguration.

It was the first conversation between the leaders since last week's ceremony.

Mr Turnbull said terrorism and border protection were top of the agenda, but there was no mention of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Mr Trump last week signed an executive order to pull the US out of the 12-country agreement.

"The TPP was not discussed yesterday - I've discussed that with Mr Trump earlier," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

Mr Turnbull said the pair acknowledged the two countries' strong and deep relationship and committed to making it stronger.

They also re-committed to defeating Islamic State, "which continues to have an impact, a dangerous impact - not just in the Middle East but right around the world, including our own countries".

Mr Trump also confirmed he was committed to the agreement to resettle refugees from Nauru and Manus Island, which was struck with the previous administration.

The call to Mr Turnbull was the last of a series of calls from the Oval Office to world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Francois Hollande.


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2 min read
Published 30 January 2017 3:30pm
Updated 30 January 2017 3:32pm
Source: AAP


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