Britain to join Asia-Pacific free trade pact

London, January 31

The UK Government has announced that it is applying to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), one of the world’s largest free-trade areas made up of 11 developed and emerging economies in the Pacific, under its post-Brexit plans.

Joining the CPTPP reflects the UK’s post-Brexit Pacific tilt and is dubbed as a critical part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson-led government’s wider trade strategy, which aims to deepen links with fast-growing parts of the world and partnering with countries who believe in free and fair trade, including India.

The decision to join the CPTPP, comprising Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, marks one year since the UK left the European Union (EU) on January 31 last year and entered a Brexit transition period which concluded at the start of this year.

“One year after our departure for the EU we are forging new partnerships that will bring enormous economic benefits for the people of Britain,” said PM Johnson.

UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said he will take up the matter with the CPTPP on Monday to make the joining request. — PTI

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