Hanoi (VNA) – Member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have agreed to launch preliminary discussions with Indonesia, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), paving the way for formal accession negotiations by the three economies.
According to a joint statement issued following a ministerial virtual meeting on June 26, the 12 CPTPP members have for the first time established a preliminary consultation mechanism before opening formal accession negotiations. Under the process, member states will assess the candidates’ domestic legal frameworks and trade regulations against the agreement’s standards.
To join the CPTPP, applicant economies must meet a range of stringent requirements, including the elimination of tariffs on most goods, compliance with intellectual property protection rules and adherence to other high-standard trade commitments. The launch of formal accession negotiations also requires the consensus of all existing members.
The introduction of the preliminary consultation mechanism comes amid growing interest in the CPTPP from economies seeking closer integration into the regional trading system. Cambodia submitted its application to join the agreement in November 2025, while Argentina formally applied earlier this month.
Observers say the CPTPP’s role as a framework for promoting free trade is becoming increasingly important at a time of rising protectionism worldwide, including the impact of higher US tariffs and growing economic pressures from China.
At the meeting, member countries also issued a separate statement highlighting the need to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector to address the potential impacts of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The CPTPP entered into force in 2018 after the US withdrew from the agreement during President Donald Trump’s first term in office. The pact currently comprises 12 members: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the UK and Vietnam./.
Thailand considers return to CPTPP, pushes ahead with EU free trade deal
Thailand is considering a return to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as it pushes to lock in a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), amid rising protectionism and mounting challenges facing the global trading system.
