The UK and the Pacific Free Trade Agreement

Originally signed in 2018, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam. It was set up with the aim of creating jobs, strengthening economic relations, and boosting trade among Pacific Rim member states.

The recent ‘Refresh’ of the Integrated Review declared that the UK has now delivered on the Indo-Pacific ‘tilt’ announced in the original 2021 Review. The Refresh states that the task ahead is to put ‘our approach to the Indo-Pacific on a long-term strategic footing, making the region a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy’. The UK’s recent accession to the CPTPP is one important part of this, paving the way for stronger economic ties with Asia, which is expected to contribute to more than 50% of global GDP in 2050.

The discussion will explore the benefits of CPTPP membership to the UK in the broader context of the UK’s Indo-Pacific strategy, as well as any challenges that may lie ahead.

• Carolina Valdivia, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chile (2018-2022)
   
• Ruby Osman, Senior Researcher, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
   
• Louis Kuijs, Chief Economist Asia Pacific, S&P Global Ratings
   
• Yuichi Hosoya, Professor of International Politics, Keio University
   

The event will be chaired by RUSI Senior Associate Fellow Andrew Cainey.

This event is open to RUSI members only. Find out how you can become a member here.

To register to attend this event online, submit the booking form linked on this page by 13 June 2023. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. If you have any questions, please email Živilė Kulevičiūtė, Events Manager, at zivilek@rusi.org.