US President Donald Trump has signed executive orders withdrawing America from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal and stopping the federal government from hiring any more workers.

Key points: Trump made election promise to withdraw USA from TPP

Trump made election promise to withdraw USA from TPP TPP was main economic pillar of Obama administration's 'pivot' to the Asia-Pacific region

TPP was main economic pillar of Obama administration's 'pivot' to the Asia-Pacific region Australia willing to work with other countries to keep deal alive

In an Oval Office ceremony, Mr Trump delivered on his campaign promise to formally withdraw from the TPP, which was negotiated by Barack Obama between 12 countries, including Australia.

Mr Trump, who has previously argued the agreement would harm the US economy, said the order was a "great thing for the American worker".

But the move was basically a formality, since the agreement was unlikely to receive approval from the US Congress.

Mr Trump, who wants to boost US manufacturing, said he would seek one-on-one trade deals with countries that would allow the US to quickly terminate them in 30 days "if somebody misbehaves".

"We're going to stop the ridiculous trade deals that have taken everybody out of our country and taken companies out of our country," the Republican President said as he met with union leaders in the White House's Roosevelt Room.

The accord had been the main economic pillar of the Obama administration's "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region to counter China.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe reiterated their commitment to the TPP, despite Mr Trump's opposition, in a phone call last night.

Australia's Trade Minister Steve Ciobo yesterday said the Federal Government was willing to work with the other 10 participating countries to find a way forward for the TPP.

Loading

"If it comes to pass that we need to make small changes in order to capture the benefits of the TPP and not have the United States as part of it, well then, so be it," he said.

But he agreed access to the US market was an incentive for countries to sign up in the first place.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has pronounced the TPP as "dead in the water", claiming the Government's pursuit of the deal is "a waste of time".

Trump signs orders on hiring freeze, abortion

Mr Trump also signed an order stopping the US federal government from hiring any more workers, but said the ruling would not apply to the military.

The memorandum freezes hiring for some federal government workers as a way to reduce payrolls and rein in the size of the federal workforce.

The rule, lifted by Mr Obama when he took office in 2009, has been used by incoming presidents to signal their positions on abortions and was created by former president Ronald Reagan in 1984.

The rule affects groups getting funding from the US Agency for International Development, even if they use separate money for abortion services, counselling or referrals, advocates said.

It comes two days after millions of people marched in cities in the US and around the world, expressing concern that women's rights will be eroded under Mr Trump.

Mr Trump also told chief executives he would like to cut corporate taxes to the 15-20 per cent range, down from current statutory levels of 35 per cent — a pledge that will require cooperation from the Republican-led US Congress.

But he said business leaders have told him that reducing regulations is even more important.

"We think we can cut regulations by 75 per cent. Maybe more," Mr Trump told business leaders.

"When you want to expand your plant, or when Mark wants to come in and build a big massive plant, or when Dell wants to come in and do something monstrous and special — you're going to have your approvals really fast," Mr Trump said, referring to Ford chief executive Mark Fields, who sat around the boardroom-style table in the Roosevelt Room.

Mr Fields said he was encouraged by the tone of the meeting.

"I know I come out with a lot of confidence that the president is very, very serious on making sure that the United States economy is going to be strong and have policies - tax, regulatory or trade - to drive that," he said.

'Our intention is never to lie,' says White House spokesman

Sorry, this video has expired Sean Spicer hits back at questions about his integrity

Meanwhile, White House spokesman Sean Spicer used his first official White House briefing to hit back at questions about his integrity.

It came after Mr Spicer incorrectly claimed that Mr Trump's inauguration crowd was the biggest ever seen.

Mr Spicer was asked if he intended to tell the truth from now on when he addressed the media.

"It's an honour to do this, and yes — I believe we have to be honest with the American people," he said.

"I think sometimes we can disagree with the facts.

"There are certain things we might not fulling understand when we come out, but our intention is never to lie."

Mr Spicer also said Mr Trump had resigned from the Trump Organisation and his sons Don Jr. and Eric were now in charge of the business.

"He has resigned from the company as he said he would before he took office. Don and Eric are fully in charge of the company," Mr Spicer said.

Rubio backs Tillerson as secretary of state

Meanwhile, Republican senator Marco Rubio reluctantly backed Mr Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, in a move that all but secured Senate confirmation of the former Exxon Mobil Corp chief executive as the nation's top diplomat.

Mr Rubio said he was troubled by Mr Tillerson's recent responses before politicians regarding Russia as well as other countries, but that he ultimately decided he would vote to approve the nominee in deference to Mr Trump, as well as to fill a critical top job.

"Despite my reservations, I will support Mr Tillerson's nomination in committee and in the full Senate," he said in a statement ahead of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's vote.

A vote soon after in the Republican-controlled Senate narrowly approved Mr Tillerson's appointment, but it must still pass the full Senate.

Mr Tillerson is expected to win confirmation, despite opposition from Democrats.

Mr Rubio, a one-time rival to Mr Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, said he would not be so deferential regarding Mr Trump's other nominees for top State Department posts.

ABC/wires