When Donald Trump was elected US president it was presumed the Trans-Pacific was history, but it’s possible the other eleven countries will go ahead without the US.

This would presumably require another agreement because the current agreement was dependant on the US ratifying it.

Stuff: TPP nations eye a future without the US with Trump in the White House

Leaders of the Trans-Pacific Partnership nations are openly considering going it alone, without the United States, in a so-called ‘TPP minus one’ in the wake of Donald Trump’s election.

The 12 countries are meeting on the margins of the 21-strong Apec meeting in Lima, Peru.

Talking to reporters shortly after arriving in the Peruvian capital, Prime Minister John Key made it clear the grouping faced a critical crossroads with Trump’s election.

.”Maybe it is one of the most important Apecs I have been to.”

It could be interesting, but I would be surprised if the US is in a position to make decisions or even give an indication where they stand as Trump transitions into the White House.

There were three scenarios: Go ahead without the US with an 11-member TPP, Trump changes his position and accepts the agreed text, or the countries go back to the table and start talks again.

New Zealand’s goal was a free trade agreement that included the US and Japan through the TPP. 

But a deal without the US, but with Japan would still be worth it from New Zealand’s point of view.

A meeting of TPP leaders is planned for Sunday and New Zealand was reserving judgement on a ‘TPP minus one’, he said.

“It might be, in the end, the way we go forward without the United States – that’s  not an impossible scenario. But we have a few years to make that decision.”

If they want to proceed with a Pacific trade partnership it looks like it will have to be minus the US.

If this is what ends up happening it will be interesting to see how many still oppose it because it’s a trade agreement, and whether some decide to switch to supporting it without the US being involved.