Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has celebrated the UK’s historic accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), calling it ‘a critical bulwark against China’ and a landmark moment for Britain’s post-Brexit trade ambitions.
‘Having made the UK’s formal application to join the CPTPP when I was International Trade Secretary, I’m delighted our membership of this vibrant trading bloc has finally been secured,’ Truss declared. ‘Not only does it underline our position as a truly global trading nation, but the bloc also serves as a critical bulwark against China.’
The CPTPP, a free trade agreement spanning eleven Indo-Pacific nations, represents a staggering 15% of global GDP. Britain now stands as the first European nation to join this powerhouse group, which includes influential players like Japan, Canada, and Australia.
Membership provides UK businesses with tariff-free access to over 500 million consumers, slashing trade barriers on 99% of goods exports. For industries ranging from automotive to agriculture, the agreement is a game-changer, opening doors to new markets and fostering economic growth.
Critics of Brexit who doubted Britain’s ability to secure major trade deals outside the EU may now need to reconsider. The UK’s successful negotiation of this deal highlights its agility and sovereignty in global trade—qualities that contrast sharply with the EU’s often cumbersome processes.
Beyond economic benefits, Truss’s comments underscore the geopolitical significance of this move. The UK’s membership reinforces its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific, aligning it with key allies in a region marked by rising Chinese influence.
This bold step reaffirms Britain’s role as a global trading nation and a key player in international diplomacy, setting the stage for a new era of economic and strategic engagement.
