Graham Zebedee on CPTPP, Latin America and the UK

On Tuesday 19 September, Canning House held a business breakfast with Graham Zebedee, Chief Negotiator from the Department for Business and Trade on the United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The UK joined CPTPP in July 2023, becoming the bloc’s first non-founder and first European member, with the deal now subject to a process of ratification both domestically and by the other members. Now comprising 12 members, the others bordering the Pacific Ocean, CPTPP includes Japan, Australia and Canada, and three Latin American countries – Mexico, Peru and Chile. Ecuador, Uruguay and Costa Rica have also applied to join, as have China, Taiwan and Ukraine.

Graham spoke on a wide range of topics, drawing on his experience of CPTPP negotiations to discuss the UK’s process of accession, the deal’s interaction with pre-existing and new bilateral trade agreements, the long-term benefits of a broadening and deepening CPTPP, and prospects and considerations for current (and potential future) Latin American applicants.

The roundtable was also attended by representatives of Canning House Corporate Members and other businesses, the Latin American diplomatic corps, and academics.

Questions from delegates ranged from specific enquiries regarding the CPTPP accession process, such as whether applicants are in a “queue” (behind China); the bloc’s flexibility on other bilateral trade agreements between members; trade-offs between a growing membership and a deepening relationship; and other queries about member states’ visa and travel requirements, arbitration processes, and the UK’s progress on and prospects for other trade agreements, such as a potential future UK-Mercosur deal.

Canning House thanks Graham for his participation in this inaugural Canning House Business Breakfast – the first in a new series, with subsequent editions to be announced shortly – and delegates for their attendance and interest.