Later in 2024, the UK will join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership bringing a whole new meaning to the expression ‘regional trade agreement’. The British government has made no secret of its enthusiasm for what it calls a ‘strategic pivot’ towards the Asia-Pacific region. But, does it make sense for the UK which has just withdrawn from one trade bloc right on its doorstep, to join another which is centred on the other side of the world? What benefits might we expect UK membership of CPTPP to deliver? How might CPTPP evolve in future?

Joining Chris Horseman (Borderlex) to discuss this topic are Minako Morita-Jaeger (CITP), Rob Cook (Department for Business and Trade) and Manuel Tong Koecklin (CITP/UKTPO).