Washington (CNN) A draft of a bill from the Trump administration would propose having the US abandon key World Trade Organization principles and offer President Donald Trump significantly more discretion over US trade policy, a White House official has confirmed to CNN.

Trump ordered the draft legislation and was briefed on it in May, Axios first reported, citing sources familiar with the situation, and the report said most officials involved in crafting the proposal believe it is "unrealistic or unworkable."

The CNN source familiar with the discussions on the proposed legislation described the proposal as "the beginning of a conversation" on trade and not a signal that the United States was prepared to abandon its role in the WTO.

"We face unfair trade barriers," the official said, adding, "something needs to be done."

Notably, the official was displeased with the leak of the bill's text, suggesting it was put out to pressure key figures within the administration who have opposed Trump's hardline instincts on tariffs.

Read More