While President Trump has promised to put “America first,” the remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership have met and made plans to proceed without the United States in the agreement. The pact, which was a signature part of Obama’s legacy, is composed of 11 countries: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Before leaving the agreement, the US was the largest economy involved in the trade group.

The leaders of the 11 countries left the meeting room with a set of standards called the “core standards.” The main idea is business as usual. While the group was dealt a significant blow by the US leaving, the leadership wants to continue with their “high standards,” while “ensuring the commercial and other interests of all participants and preserving our inherent right to regulate.”

President Trump announced his decision to leave the TPP in January, shortly after assuming office. He cited that leaving the deal would be a “great thing for the American worker,” and that the deal was a “potential disaster for our country.” The President wishes to conduct trade country to country to reduce unfairness, but many APEC leaders agree that trade doesn’t benefit every country equally.