UK Kicks Off CPTPP Negotiations, Lays Out Strategic Approach
The United Kingdom was to begin negotiations June 22 to join the 11-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Department of International Trade said in a news release. The agreement would welcome the U.K. as its first European member and lower trading barriers for British goods such as whisky and cars.
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In a separate publication, the U.K. laid out its strategic approach to the negotiations, including benchmarks to achieve under the pact. The U.K. would set up a 48-hour target for the release of goods once received by customs, prevent "unjustified" data localization requirements and ensure that state-owned enterprises do not receive trade-distorting subsidies, among many other priorities. The U.K.'s strategy also laid out all the areas in which the CPTPP goes beyond the country's commitments in existing bilateral free trade agreements with the member countries, including in rules of origin, textiles, customs, services, intellectual property, labor, the environment, business facilitation and women's economic empowerment, the strategy said.