Trump may seek new climate accord

Just because US President Donald Trump has pulled out of the Paris climate accord does not mean he has walked away from tackling climate change, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says.

Speaking after a meeting with Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne in Sydney on Monday, Mr Tillerson said the Paris accord was entered into by the previous administration, and Mr Trump believed it did not serve the American people well.

"I think the president indicating his desire to re-examine, enter into discussions with others - perhaps a new construct of an agreement - indicates his recognition that the issue is still important," he told reporters.