US formally leaves Pacific trade pact

The United States has formally pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Acting US trade representative Maria Pagan has written to the TPP's secretariat office in Wellington in which she says the "United States does not intend to become a party to the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement".

"Accordingly the United States has no legal obligations arising from its signature on February 4, 2016," the letter says.

Ms Pagan asked the secretariat to inform other signatories including Australia.

"The United States remains committed to taking measures designed to promote more efficient markets and higher levels of economic growth, both in our country and around the world," she says.

"We look forward to further discussions as to how to achieve these goals."

The move follows an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is considering whether to put the agreement to parliament in the coming sitting following Japan's ratification.