Britain’s bumpy ride to the Asia-Pacific

The UK's application to join the 11-member CPTPP has been a bit more bruising than London expected. Learn more about the UK's concession to Malaysia and the long-run economic gains from joining CPTPP.

March 13, 2023 . 8:49 PM

1 min read

The UK's application to join the 11-member CPTPP has been a bit more bruising than London expected.
The UK has developed a competent (and large) cadre of civil service trade negotiators, but ministers desperate for deals to put in the post-Brexit trophy cupboard puts them in a weak bargaining position.
The UK's long-run economic gains from joining CPTPP will be pitiful, just 0.08 per cent of gross domestic product.
The UK, after its arguments about environmental protection were briskly rejected, apparently acceded to Malaysia’s demand it cut tariffs on palm oil to zero immediately on joining CPTPP.
One of the last outstanding issues got done last week, and seems to have involved a UK concession that might create some tricky conversations with British environmental campaigners.