Mar 31, 2023 02:35 AM
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65124741
INTRO: The UK has signed a deal to join a trade pact with 11 Asia and Pacific nations, three years after it officially left the European Union. Joining the group will boost UK exports by cutting tariffs on goods such as cheese, cars, chocolate, machinery, gin and whisky, the government said.
However, the government's own estimates show being in the bloc will only add 0.08% to the size of the UK's economy.
The trade area covers a market of around 500 million people. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership - or CPTPP - was established in 2018, and includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Membership of the CPTPP loosens restrictions on trade between members and reduce tariffs - a form of border tax - on goods. Together, the 11 members account for about 13% of the world's income and after 21 months of negotiations, the UK has become the first European country to join.
The government said the agreement was the UK's "biggest trade deal since Brexit". However, the gains for the UK from joining are expected to be modest... (MORE - details)
INTRO: The UK has signed a deal to join a trade pact with 11 Asia and Pacific nations, three years after it officially left the European Union. Joining the group will boost UK exports by cutting tariffs on goods such as cheese, cars, chocolate, machinery, gin and whisky, the government said.
However, the government's own estimates show being in the bloc will only add 0.08% to the size of the UK's economy.
The trade area covers a market of around 500 million people. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership - or CPTPP - was established in 2018, and includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Membership of the CPTPP loosens restrictions on trade between members and reduce tariffs - a form of border tax - on goods. Together, the 11 members account for about 13% of the world's income and after 21 months of negotiations, the UK has become the first European country to join.
The government said the agreement was the UK's "biggest trade deal since Brexit". However, the gains for the UK from joining are expected to be modest... (MORE - details)