Secretary of State for International Trade (): The Department for
International Trade (DIT) has made good progress on two key trade
negotiations. This statement provides Parliament with an update
on the UK’s trade negotiations with Mexico and negotiations
towards accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement
for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTTP)
The UK has taken part in further discussions to negotiate
accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The latest round of talks took
place in Sydney from 10 - 13 October 2022. Negotiations covered
market access on trade in goods, services and investment,
financial services, government procurement, temporary entry of
businesspersons and legal and institutional issues. UK
negotiators made good progress across the areas of discussion and
talks are set to continue during the rest of the year.
Joining CPTPP will help UK businesses trade more easily across
borders and will help keep critical supply chains open and
predictable. Embracing closer trading links and breaking down
barriers to trade with a diverse group of trading partners could
support businesses in diversifying their supply chains promoting
greater resilience.
Ahead of the UK’s Accession Working Group, the CPTPP Commission
convened for its 6th annual meeting on 8 October 2022.
In a concluding Joint Ministerial Statement, the Commission
announced that it ‘look(s) forward to further progress on the
accession process with the commitment of both the CPTPP
membership and the United Kingdom.’
Separately, Malaysia has now announced its completion of the
ratification process to enter CPTPP into force. The Ministry for
Trade and Industry have announced that they deposited the
instrument of ratification in early October. The agreement will
enter into force for the country on 29 November 2022. This could
provide the UK with significantly better access to the Malaysian
market, which is home to over 32 million consumers. UK’s
accession to CPTPP will support the UK and Malaysia’s shared
ambitions to remove barriers to trade and create new
opportunities for businesses and investors.
UK- Mexico Trade Negotiations
Round two of UK-Mexico trade negotiations took place from 31
October to 11 November 2022 in a virtual format across 29 policy
areas over 35 separate sessions.
During the round, the UK set out its policy positions having
exchanged draft chapter text with Mexico across most policy areas
before the round. A key objective at this early stage was to
continue to build a firm understanding of Mexico’s trade policy
positions and priorities. As expected at this stage, areas of
convergence and divergence were identified. However, discussions
remained positive. Both negotiation teams took actions to
consider each other’s positions and identify opportunities to
move closer together ahead of round three.
The negotiations continue to reflect a shared ambition to
negotiate a comprehensive agreement which is better suited for
the 21stcentury and one which strengthens our trading
relationship, already worth over £4.2 billion in 2021. Both
countries agree that this is an opportunity to add value and
complement the UK’s accession to the CPTPP.
His Majesty’s Government remains clear that any deal we sign will
be in the best interests of the British people and the United
Kingdom economy. We will not compromise on our high environmental
and labour protections, public health, animal welfare and food
standards, and we will maintain our right to regulate in the
public interest. We are also clear that during these
negotiations, the NHS and the services it provides is not on the
table.
His Majesty’s Government will continue to work closely with CPTPP
Parties and Mexico to ensure negotiations proceeds at pace and
takes place on terms that are right for the UK.
