CPTPP Accession

UK has formally requested accession talks with CPTPP

On 1st February 2021, the UK formally requested the commencement of accession talks with the CPTPP.

Here is an interesting webinar about the CPTPP accession process, with Graham Zebedee, the chief negotiator...
He mentions a twitter account which will tweet developments as the process unfolds.   It's well worth being aware of.

CPTPP Accession

Background

In July 2018, the UK government held a public consultation regarding the option of CPTPP membership. 

In the transition period, in which the UK negotiated a number of FTAs, (many rollovers), it also announced its intention to accede to CPTPP in preambles to trade talks with CPTPP member countries, namely Japan, Australia & New Zealand. 

Australian talks preamble

Note: "To that end, Australia, as a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), welcomes the UK's intention to join this group of committed free trading nations."

New Zealand talks preamble

makes it even clearer.

"The FTA will serve as a framework for an even stronger economic partnership as the UK seeks to expand its already close relationships in the Asia-Pacific. New Zealand, as a leading member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), welcomes the UK's intention to join this group and its determination to turbocharge its economic engagement in the region through membership."

Japanese talks preamble

"Japan is also the largest economy of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and a natural leader of that organisation.  CPTPP currently represents 13% of global GDP and would increase to more than 16% if the UK were to join. Our Free Trade Agreement with Japan will act as an important milestone towards the UK's accession to CPTPP, a goal which Japan fully supports."

The UK also set out its approach to acceding to the CPTPP.