Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the White Paper entitled The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, published in July 2018, Cm 9593, what assessments has been made of the feasibility of accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

As set out in the Government’s White Paper on the future relationship with the EU, the UK will potentially seek accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CTPP). This will take place pending the outcome of a 14-week public consultation and the process of accession for new members being established. Potential accession would be sought on terms consistent with the future relationship with the EU, and domestic priorities. CPTPP includes some of the world's fastest growing economies that together represent 13-14% of global GDP, and a total population of around 500m people. If the UK were to join, it would be the second largest economy in the group, and CPTPP’s coverage of global GDP would increase to around 17%. We are undertaking assessments of all the opportunities presented by CPTPP, including analysis on opportunities the agreement presents to UK consumers and businesses.