MPs focus on digital trade and intellectual property in scrutiny of Trans-Pacific trade bloc membership
The International Trade Committee holds an evidence session exploring UK membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
The CPTPP is a trade bloc consisting of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. According to recent statistics, CPTPP members account for 13 per cent of global domestic product (GDP) and 15 per cent of global trade.
Meeting details
In the first panel, witnesses’ views are likely to be sought on how the UK could use its digital expertise to improve the implementation of e-commerce rules across the CPTPP, how accession to the trade bloc contributes to the UK’s digital trade policy, and concerns around China’s application to join the CPTPP.
Likely topics of discussion for the second panel could include how coherently IP standards and rules are implemented across the CPTPP, what improvements the UK’s accession could bring, and concerns around CPTPP membership’s compatibility with European IP regulations.