Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) - Which? Submission

Summary:

1. Which? welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence on the implications of the UK’sintention to pursue accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). This is seen as an important agreement for the UK Government, giving UK businesses access to new and growing markets for both goods and services, including opening up digital trade.
2. But the CPTPP is a plurilateral Free Trade Agreement that has already been negotiated, with limited ability for the UK to seek changes based on our values and expectations. The signatories have different political systems. levels of economic development and regulatory frameworks that influenced the agreement, along with certain derogations. It contains some provisions that risk undermining the UK’s ability to regulate in the way that UK consumers expect.
3. Which?’s programme of consumer research to understand consumers’ expectations and priorities for trade deals has found that, while opening up markets to ensure more choices for consumers is seen as an opportunity, people’s overwhelming priorities for trade negotiations include upholding food and consumer product safety standards, data protection and digital rights, and environmental protection, as well as ensuring regional equity, so that all parts of the country can benefit.
4. In seeking to accede to the CPTPP, the Government must be particularly cognisant that these are the measures by which consumers will assess the value of trade deals and ensure that the Agreement does not inhibit the UK’s ability to apply the standards and protections that people expect in these important areas.