Overview
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement covering 12 economies across the Asia-Pacific region. The UK joined in December 2024 and now has access to CPTPP markets, except Canada where ratification of the UK’s accession is still pending.
Latest update
The UK now has access to the Mexican market under CPTPP, giving businesses an additional route to trade alongside the UK-Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement. CPTPP is also continuing to expand, with accession discussions ongoing with Costa Rica and Uruguay.
Benefits for UK manufacturers
- Lower tariffs: more UK goods exports to CPTPP markets should become tariff-free over time.
- Flexible rules of origin: cumulation provisions can help manufacturers use inputs from across CPTPP markets.
- Faster customs: commitments include quicker release of goods, advance rulings and greater use of digital documentation.
- Business mobility: provisions support temporary movement of business visitors, specialists and service providers.
- Digital trade: the agreement supports electronic signatures, cross-border data flows and limits on unnecessary data localisation.
- Procurement access: businesses should have better visibility of government contract opportunities in CPTPP markets.
Key opportunities
- Diversify export markets.
- Build more resilient supply chains.
- Reduce tariff costs.
- Improve access to Asia-Pacific growth markets.
- Deliver services and technical support more easily overseas.