Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (Accession)

Questions the benefits of joining CPTPP for UK trade when we already have free trade agreements with seven out of eleven members, questioning risks such as investor state dispute settlement, data sharing including health records, private competition in public sector, regulatory standards on animal welfare and food production. Urges Government to consult industry, unions and stakeholders before finalizing terms.

The UK aims to join CPTPP which offers advanced digital chapters and reduced tariffs. The government will not lower food safety, environmental or labour standards during negotiations and plans a new export strategy for small businesses.

Welcomes the statement on CPTPP and asks about support given to British exporters to access CPTPP markets both domestically and internationally.

Acknowledges potential benefits of joining CPTPP but criticises the lack of detail in the statement on challenges, difficulties, and sticking points foreseen in negotiations. Raises concerns about lowering barriers for foreign services suppliers and product dumping.

Emphasises that joining CPTPP is important to strengthen trading relationships with allies respecting international norms, better isolating rogue trading practices by states using trade as a weapon.

Questions the timing of entering negotiations for CPTPP given limited bandwidth during the pandemic and asks about priorities when negotiations with the EU are still ongoing.

Welcomes the statement and inquires about outreach to Japanese businesses, the stance of the Japanese Government on UK accession, and support from allies for joining CPTPP.

Asked if the Government would follow New Zealand's example by seeking to exclude an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, which allows major corporations to challenge governments on environmental protection. The MP raised concerns over regulatory interference.

Suggested conducting a second consultation period to allow stakeholders sufficient time to assess and comment on the implications of joining CPTPP, noting that the initial consultation occurred during the Brexit negotiations when focus was elsewhere.

Emphasised Scotland's trading history with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The MP noted the advantage Scotch whisky could gain from reduced tariffs under CPTPP.

Challenged the Secretary of State's representation of Scottish farmers' views regarding EU membership and trade deals, accusing her of misrepresentation in a recent article. The MP expressed concerns about negative impacts on farming standards.

Asked about trading opportunities for dairy and sheep farmers with New Zealand and Australia through CPTPP, expressing his passion for maintaining strict animal welfare and food standards.

Inquired about the environmental costs of expanding UK trade into the Pacific region, specifically asking if an impact assessment had been made on carbon footprint reductions.

Congratulated the Secretary of State on progress with a bilateral trade agreement with Japan and welcomed the announcement regarding Australia and New Zealand. The MP asked for an indicative timetable for CPTPP membership.

Asked why certain EU products could be exported tariff-free to South Korea while similar UK products cannot, underlining disparities in trade agreements between the EU and UK.

Suggested that free trade agreements reduce inequalities, create jobs, and boost incomes globally. The MP highlighted the opportunities for fast-emerging countries through CPTPP membership.

Asked to ensure that Northern Ireland businesses and consumers are not disadvantaged by the Northern Ireland protocol in relation to trade deals such as CPTPP. The MP sought reassurance on equal benefits for all parts of the UK.

Welcomed the statement on trade deals, highlighting the growth rate in the Pacific region compared to the EU. Emphasised that free trade agreements are about more than just numbers; they offer strategic ties with countries sharing similar interests.

Questioned whether the Government prioritises forming new trade deals with English-speaking countries, pointing out that trade with Commonwealth nations does not match that of France and Germany. Suggested this could be about political interests rather than economic significance.

Agreed with the Secretary of State's approach, highlighting how leaving the EU allows for an independent trade policy that aligns with UK terms. Emphasised the importance of acceding to CPTPP given its opportunities for services and digital trade.

Expressed concerns about Scottish farmers facing greater competition from New Zealand lamb imports alongside potential tariffs on UK lamb exports to the EU. Questioned whether this double threat would undermine British farming interests.

Supported the Government's efforts in applying for CPTPP and ASEAN dialogue partner status, highlighting potential benefits if the US also joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Emphasised the strategic importance of engaging with Brunei given its role in both TPP and ASEAN leadership.

Called for accelerating debate proceedings to accommodate more speakers, without elaborating on specific trade policies or concerns.

Asked for clarity on the roadmap ensuring high food standards in new trade deals and suggested revisiting the idea of a food standards commission. Highlighted the importance of protecting British agricultural standards.

Welcomed the start of talks with Australia and New Zealand, suggesting opportunities for engaging emerging markets in southeast Asia within the Trans-Pacific Partnership framework.

Emphasised the need for confidence-building measures to support British businesses during uncertain times. Criticised those who seek delays or additional consultations on trade deals, advocating for swift action and robust free-trade commitments.

Questioned the Secretary of State's ability to replicate EU membership economic success post-Brexit. Sought assurances against competition from cheap goods being dumped in the UK as part of new trade deals.

Welcomed opportunities for international trade with Scotland and the UK, highlighting Japan's importance to Scottish farmers exporting malting barley. Supported access to wider CPTPP markets as beneficial.

Asked for a commitment to seeking ISDS exemptions in future trade deals, similar to New Zealand's approach within the CPTPP framework, aiming to protect public services and developing nations from corporate litigation risks.

Suggested that UK accession to the CPTPP could encourage further expansion of the trade bloc, benefiting British exporters. Encouraged a dynamic mix of nation-states within the agreement for mutual benefit.

Asked for assurances that product, environmental, health, and workers' standards would not fall below EU levels to maintain an EU trade deal. Emphasised the need for ISDS exemption to avoid legal challenges when raising standards above EU norms.

I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement. The agreement goes much further than the EU-Japan economic partnership agreement of 2018 and there is much to like about it, not least for businesses in Cumbria that want to trade out and into the world. What assurances can she give me that we will not go back on our high food and environmental standards in joining this agreement?

We are absolutely committed to our high standards. That is one of the reasons why countries and people around the world want to buy British products. They trust British products, they trust the Union Jack flag, and they appreciate what we offer. Let me be clear: any change to domestic legislation resulting from any trade agreement would need to be voted on by this House, so there is a clear parliamentary process to make sure that any change has full support, but we will not be lowering those standards.

On the topic of East Anglia, I am sure my right hon. Friend will recognise the importance of a port at Felixstowe and how it needs to have the infrastructure necessary to step up to help Britain achieve its global potential. Will she commit to working with Highways England to make sure that its ridiculous plan to close a bridge when it is windy is stopped, so that we never have to go through another windy period in winter when our town grinds to a halt because road freight from the port of Felixstowe has to go through a town centre and not across a bridge?

There is no greater supporter of East Anglian infrastructure than me.

My constituents in Putney are very worried about the implications of the partnership and all the Brexit agreements for the NHS. Can the Secretary of State guarantee that the NHS and other key public services will not be opened up to competition under the negative list system in the trans-Pacific partnership?

The NHS is not on the table. The price the NHS pays for drugs is not on the table.

I welcome the accession to the CPTPP, which could be good news for UK dairy farmers. Canada, which is a member, has a lot of unused quota and there are not many other dairy producers in the partnership, so there is a huge opportunity for UK dairy there. More important, though, is transitioning the EU-Canada comprehensive economic and trade agreement, because this will be a medium to long-term ambition. Where are we on the transition arrangement for CETA?

I had a good conversation with my Canadian counterpart, Mary Ng, last week to talk about, first, our mutual commitment to free trade, but also how we are going to improve our trading relationship with Canada.

One of the reasons why the UK Government and in particular Tory Brexiteers were salivating over the idea of Brexit was about reducing red tape and cutting lots of regulation, so clearly when embarking on trade agreements the Government are going to compromise on things like food standards and workers’ rights. Will the Secretary of State tell us up front which of them she will throw on the Brexit bonfire, like the Brexiteers wanted?

It is a shame that the SNP appears to be intent on scaremongering rather than looking at the opportunities for Scottish farmers and businesses from this excellent deal.

Conservative Members are optimistic and positive about the opportunities ahead. We have heard about the opportunities for our dairy farmers, but is my right hon. Friend aware of the opportunities for our arable sector in striking a deal with the Japanese, whose desire for British malt is insatiable, at a time when so much malting barley is sat in the sheds and warehouses of our brewers and farmers? We should be excited about opening up these new markets.

My hon. Friend is right. This country produces high-quality malting barley, and my ambition is to overtake Canada in exports to Japan and to become No. 1 on the Japan malting barley list.

The Secretary of State referred to CPTPP as “11 like- minded nations” and said that “now is the time to look out to the world”. Will she not therefore see that it is time to follow Canada’s example and give a formal role to the devolved Administrations in establishing trade policy? Or will Scotland get that opportunity only with independence?

We have in this country a clear procedure for determining our trade agreements and a clear treaty-ratification process, which I think works well. We are committed to working closely with Scottish Members of Parliament and Scottish businesses to make sure that every part of the UK benefits from our trade-negotiation strategy.

When I think about trade deals, I think about the benefits that deals like CPTPP will bring to exporters in my patch, such as Equus Leather in Winston, which my right hon. Friend visited with me a few months ago. As she is a champion of global Britain and of free trade, does she agree that UK businesses want the UK to sign up to CPTPP and cement our relationships with top economies such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand?

Equus Leather is a fantastic business, but the fact is that it currently has to fill in lots of forms when it wants to export not only to America but to other parts of the world. I want to get dedicated SME chapters to get rid of that red tape, so that companies can focus their efforts on producing fantastic products that people around the world want to buy.