UK applies to join huge Pacific free trade area CPTPP
The UK is formally applying to join one of the world바카라 사이트s largest free-trade areas, deepening trade ties with some of the fastest-growing markets in the world

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will speak to ministers in Japan and New Zealand on Monday morning (1 February 2021) to request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), with formal negotiations set to start this year.
The announcement comes as the UK today celebrates one year since leaving the EU and becoming an independent trading nation.
Joining the CPTPP would deepen the UK바카라 사이트s access to fast-growing markets and major economies, including Mexico, Malaysia and Vietnam, for the benefit of UK business.
Joining the £9 trillion partnership will cut tariffs for UK industries including food and drink, and cars, while also creating new opportunities for modern industries like tech and services, ultimately supporting and creating high-value jobs across the UK. Unlike EU membership, joining does not require the UK to cede control over our laws, borders, or money.
UK trade with the group was worth £111 billion in 2019, growing by 8% a year since 2016. Benefits that CPTPP membership will bring for businesses include:
- Modern digital trade rules that allow data to flow freely between members, remove unnecessary barriers for businesses, and protect commercial source code and encryption.
- Eliminating tariffs quicker on UK exports including whisky (down from 165% to 0% in Malaysia) and cars (reducing to 0% in Canada by 2022, two years earlier than through the UK-Canada trade deal).
- Rules of Origin that allow content from any country within CPTPP to count as 바카라 사이트originating바카라 사이트. For example, this would mean that cars made in the UK could use more Japanese-originating car parts, such as batteries.
- Easier travel for businesspeople between CPTPP countries, such as the potential for faster and cheaper visas.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said
바카라 사이트One year after our departure from the EU we are forging new partnerships that will bring enormous economic benefits for the people of Britain.
바카라 사이트Applying to be the first new country to join the CPTPP demonstrates our ambition to do business on the best terms with our friends and partners all over the world and be an enthusiastic champion of global free trade.바카라 사이트
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said
바카라 사이트Joining CPTPP will create enormous opportunities for UK businesses that simply weren바카라 사이트t there as part of the EU and deepen our ties with some of the fastest-growing markets in the world.
바카라 사이트It will mean lower tariffs for car manufacturers and whisky producers, and better access for our brilliant services providers, delivering quality jobs and greater prosperity for people here at home.
바카라 사이트We바카라 사이트re at the front of the queue and look forward to starting formal negotiations in the coming months.바카라 사이트
The UK will publish its negotiation objectives, scoping analysis, and consultation response in advance of negotiations expected to start this Spring.
CPTPP membership is a key part of the 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트s plan to position the UK at the centre of a network of modern free trade deals that support jobs and drive economic growth at home.
Julian David, CEO of techUK, said
바카라 사이트Today marks an important step in the UK바카라 사이트s path to developing a modern trade policy that creates new opportunities for the UK tech sector. Building on our recent agreements with Japan and the European Union, the accession to the CPTPP will allow us to join a group of ambitious countries breaking the newest ground in digital trade.
바카라 사이트The UK has been a major beneficiary of the rise of digital trade with over 67% of service exports worth £190.3 billion being digitally delivered. CPTPP will open up new markets for innovative tech SMEs looking to grow and expand beyond our borders. We are looking forward to working with the government throughout the process.바카라 사이트
Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Chair, said
바카라 사이트Membership of the CPTPP would be a hugely welcome development to all small businesses looking to either expand or begin their trading journeys.
바카라 사이트Crucially, at the very heart of this agreement is an SME chapter, something that we have lobbied for the inclusion of in every FTA, ensuring that no business is left behind.
바카라 사이트This is truly a world-leading agreement and one that will genuinely help small firms to thrive and succeed more than ever.바카라 사이트
CBI President, Lord Karan Bilimoria, said
바카라 사이트This ambition marks a new chapter for our independent trade policy. As one of the largest free trade agreements in the world, these 11 countries contribute over £100 billion to our economy.
바카라 사이트Membership of the bloc has the potential to deliver new opportunities for UK business across different sectors. The CBI will continue to work with the 바카라 사이트 to ensure that firms get the most out of an agreement that will create jobs and deliver wide-ranging benefits to communities across the country.바카라 사이트