LONDON, June 30 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Manila, Philippines - The United Kingdom welcomesa significant milestone for the Philippines, asParties tothe Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)agreed to begin preparatory discussionsonaccessionwith thePhilippines.
The announcement was madeatthe 10th CPTPP Commission Meeting heldvirtually on26 June 2026, where Ministers confirmed that preparatory discussions will begin with the Philippines, Indonesia,and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
CPTPP isone of the world's most significant free trade agreements, which the UK joined in 2024. Its membershipcurrentlyincludes12economiesspanning four continentsacross Asia-Pacific and beyond, including Japan, Canada, Australia, and theUK.CPTPP currentlycoversroughly 15%of global GDP.
The UK has been a consistent supporter of the Philippines' application to join CPTPP.UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (Southeast Asia),Rhiannon Harriessaidthe announcementbuildson the CPTPP Joint Ministerial StatementfromNovember 2025, whichoutlinedCPTPP interest in the Philippines,Indonesia,and theUAE.
We'vestrongly supported the Philippines' application. If the Philippines completes the process and joins the agreement, businesses inourcountries wouldbenefitfrom lower tariffs, simpler trading rules, and stronger supply chains,
She further added:
These preparatory discussionscould help lay the groundwork for the launch of a potential future accession process for the Philippines, which could open new opportunities for business, investment, and growth."
For the Philippines,joiningCPTPPwould meanaccesstoone of the world's most comprehensive trade networks, potentially loweringtariffsandstreamliningtradingregulations across diverse markets.The UK seesCPTPP as animportant strategic forum for advancing and expanding the reach of high standard, rules-based trade.
Whilepreparatorydiscussions do not guarantee accession or the launch of formal negotiations,theyare designed to advance engagement and understanding between the Philippines and CPTPPPartieson the agreement'sstandards.
British Ambassador to the Philippines, Sarah Hulton OBE, said:
We warmly welcome this importantmilestone. The UKlooksforward to working together with CPTPP Partiesand thePhilippinesthrough this process."
TheUK's enthusiasm for this milestone reflects the strength of its partnership with the Philippines, which is especially meaningful as thetwo countries celebrate 80 years of diplomaticrelationsthis year.
The UK and the Philippines have been building deeper economic ties through the inaugural Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO)in2025, whichsetsout closer cooperation across infrastructure, renewable energy,agricultureand technology. Philippine exporters alsobenefitfrom the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme(DCTS),offering tariff-free access on 92% of products.
The UK looks forward tocontinuing toworkalongside the Philippinesto strengthen trading relationship.
This announcement comes one year after the UK publisheditsTrade Strategy,which includedafocus ondeepeningand wideningCPTPP.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
