The UK reaches a major milestone in bid to join CPTPP free trade area

The United Kingdom reached a major milestone towards adhesion to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as members of the trade pact have agreed that Britain can proceed with its bid to join the group.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Government of Japan, who acts as the head the pact’s accessions working group.

The UK will be expected to submit its market access offer, such as on tariffs, to members within the next 30 days.

The UK began negotiations in June of last year to join the pact, which it sees as key to its post-Brexit pivot away from Europe.