Aust should negotiate TPP without US: poll

A majority of Australians think the federal government should push on and negotiate a regional free trade agreement without the United States.

The latest Essential poll found that 52 per cent should pursue a deal even though the US has formally pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Nearly a fifth think Australia should also withdraw from the pact, while 29 per cent said they didn't know.

Almost half (47 per cent) feel free trade agreements with other countries in general are good for Australia, compared to 15 per cent who say they're bad.

Most of the 1790 respondents see the Australian government and businesses as the biggest beneficiaries of trade deals, followed by mining companies.