Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Cutler is the Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) based at Washington D.C.

She recently served as Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, working on a range of U.S trade negotiations and initiatives in the Asia Pacific Region.

ASPI tackles major policy challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific in security, prosperity, sustainability, and the development of common norms and values for the region.

Ministers and officials of the 11 remaining members of the TPP have held talks about how to keep the trade deal alive.

The countries said in a joint statement after the meeting in Chile on Wednesday (local time) that they had discussed "a way forward that would advance economic integration in the Asia Pacific".

However, they did not elaborate on what that path might be.

Mr McClay said high level officials would analyse the status of the partnership and whether it could be revived without the United States.

Now, as President-Elect, Trump has committed to withdrawing from the TPPimmediately upon assuming office.

Key US allies are dismayed at Trump's decision to reverse course. First amongst them, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a keen supporter of the TPP, who had worked hard to overcome domestic opposition to the agreement.