Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Sunak hails Britain joining Indo-Pacific trade bloc

Sunak hails Britain joining Indo-Pacific trade bloc

Critics say the impact will be limited, with official estimates suggesting it will add less than 1% to UK GDP
Rishi Sunak has hailed the UK’s acceptance as a member of a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc, saying it puts Britain in a “prime position” in the global economy.

The UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was formally confirmed in a telephone call between Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and counterparts from the group.

It represents Britain’s biggest trade deal since leaving the EU, cutting tariffs for UK exporters to a group of nations which – with Britain’s accession – will have a total gross domestic product (GDP) of £11 trillion, accounting for 15 per cent of global GDP, according to UK officials.

The Prime Minister said it demonstrated how the UK is able to take advantage of its “post-Brexit freedoms” to strike agreements that were impossible when it was in the EU which will drive economic growth across the country.

However critics have said the impact will be limited, with official estimates suggesting it will add just £1.8 billion a year to the economy after 10 years, representing less than 1 per cent of UK GDP.

Labour said it was essential to ensure that UK safeguards on consumer safety, food safety, data protection and environmental protections were not compromised as a result of the agreement.

Britain is the first new member, and first European nation, to join the bloc – comprising Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam – since its formation in 2018.

It follows nearly two years of negotiations, culminating in intensive talks in Vietnam earlier this month, when representatives of all 11 existing members agreed to the UK joining.

While Britain already has trade agreements with most of the CPTPP members, apart from Malaysia, officials said it would deepen existing arrangements, with 99% of UK goods exported to the bloc now eligible for zero tariffs.

Key UK exports to the region, including cheese, cars, chocolate, machinery, gin and whisky, will be among those to benefit, while officials said the services industry would also enjoy reduced red tape and increased market access.

At the same time, they said vital UK sectors, including agriculture and the NHS, will be protected, while existing animal welfare and food safety standards will be maintained.

It represents a continuation of the post-Brexit policy “tilt” towards the Indo-Pacific region first initiated by Boris Johnson.

Mr Sunak said it would put the UK at the centre of a “dynamic” group of Pacific economies, giving British businesses “unparalleled access to markets from Europe to the south Pacific”.

“We are at our heart an open and free-trading nation, and this deal demonstrates the real economic benefits of our post-Brexit freedoms,” he said.

“As part of CPTPP, the UK is now in a prime position in the global economy to seize opportunities for new jobs, growth and innovation.”

The CBI welcomed the agreement as a “milestone” for British industry, reinforcing the UK’s commitment “to building partnerships in an increasingly fragmented world”.

Interim director-general Matthew Fell said: “CPTPP countries and business need to work together to future proof the rules-based trading system and stimulate growth with a focus on digital, services and resilient supply chains.”

Labour said that while the agreement represented “encouraging” progress, it needed to see the details.

Shadow trade secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “The Conservative Government’s track record in striking good trade deals is desperately poor.

“Other countries joining CPTPP arrangements have secured important safeguards and put in place support for their producers: it is vital that ministers set out if they plan to do the same.”

Liberal Democrat trade spokeswoman Sarah Green said: “This Conservative Government is responsible for some shocking trade deals that fail to add economic benefit to the UK.

“The Conservatives have trashed the British economy with GDP stagnant and this announcement will not even repair a fraction of their damage.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Growing Strains in Germany After Magdeburg Christmas Market Incident
Elon Musk's AfD Endorsement Ignites Controversy from neo-Nazis who accuse the AfD of being what they themselves are
Chinese startup AGIBOT has started large-scale manufacturing of versatile humanoid robots.
EU Orders Apple to Open Up: A Bold Move Against Corporate Monopolies
Trump Recognizes Some Advancement in Ceasefire Initiatives for Ukraine Conflict
Tragic Loss in the Montserrat Mountains: Mango Founder Isak Andic Passes Away in Hiking Accident
Hungary's Balancing Act: Boosting Influence While Managing Economic Stability and Political Controversies
Failing the Test of Leadership: Netanyahu's Security Missteps
Pope Francis' Call for Compassion: Balancing Humanitarian Needs with Socio-Economic Realities
Pozitív Fordulatok és Új Lehetőségek: Oktatás, Gasztronómia és Sport Magyarországon
Magyarország szerepe az uniós szankciók kérdésében: Az energetikai stabilitás és az EU egységének egyensúlya
Romanian Authorities Thwart Armed Mercenary Plot, Drawing Parallels to U.S. Capitol Riot
Strategic Explosions: The Volatile Intersection of Guerrilla Tactics and Geopolitics in Ukraine
Austria's Dilemma: Repatriation of Syrian Refugees Amidst Fragile Peace
The Rising Tide of Aridity: Unmasking a Global Threat
Polarization: The Word That Unites a Divided Era
The TikTok Conundrum: A Battle for Free Speech and Innovation
A Test of Balance: Self-Defense and Judicial Equity in Germany
The Compass of Time: Unraveling the 2024 Person of the Year
Swift's Epoch: Revolutionizing Concert History with the Eras Tour
Storm Darragh Ravages the UK: A Pre-Christmas Tempest of Destruction
Enduring Peace or Strategic Uncertainty: Zelensky's Bold Plea Amidst Ukraine's Woes
Notre-Dame Rises Again: A Symbol of Resilience Amidst Turbulent Times
UAE Invests in Quantum Leap: A Bold Move Towards a Trillion-Dollar Future
Dutch Parliament's Controversial Motion Ignites Nationwide Protests
Integration or Intrusion? The Dutch Debate Over Migration Data
Bananas and Cocaine: The Unseen Paths of a Global Epidemic
The Surveillance Mirage: When Millions of Cameras Fail to Deliver Justice
Navigating the Digital Storm: Taylor Swift's Diplomatic Dance in Celebrity Showdowns
Justice Denied: Outrage in Germany as Legal System Fails Rape Victim
Storm Darragh's Menace: UK Prepares with Rare Emergency Alert
Guardians of Safety: Balancing Security and Freedom in Modern Europe
Germany Averts Christmas Market Terror Attack Amid European Political Turmoil
The European Energy Conundrum: Navigating Dependency and Independence
France at a Crossroads: Navigating Political Tumult and Economic Divergence
Britain Leads Charge in AI Safety Amid Global Challenges
A Conflict Beyond Borders: Navigating the Complexities of Israel and Gaza
Georgia's EU Saga: Aspirations, Challenges, and a Nation Divided
Macron's Gamble: Navigating France's Political Tempest
Macron Faces Political Upheaval Amidst France's Government Collapse
Addressing the Human Toll: Europe's Struggle Against Human Trafficking
Georgia's Democratic Challenge: Balancing Between Europe and Sovereignty
Major Events Unfold Worldwide: From New York Tragedy to Californian Quake Relief
A Name’s Ascent: Muhammad Tops Baby Name Charts in England and Wales
Nepal Embraces China's Belt and Road Initiative: A New Geopolitical Battleground?
Georgia's Political Turmoil: A Nation Divided Amid Opposition Crackdowns
Bitcoin's Historic Leap: A New Era or Just Another Bubble?
Nissan’s Challenge: Preserving a Legacy in the Age of Electric Vehicles
South Korea's Democracy Tested: President Yoon’s Martial Law Reversal Sparks Political Reckoning
China Restricts Export of Key Minerals to the US Amid Trade Tensions
×