The UK government announced on 31 March 2023 that it had 'substantially concluded negotiations on the UK's accession' to the CPTPP trade agreement. The addition of the UK – the world's sixth largest economy – will result in a bloc accounting for some 15% of world GDP. Accession provides for almost complete liberalisation of tariffs among the 11 participants around the Pacific Rim (including the ASEAN states of Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam). It also supports closer economic and political ties between the UK and the Pacific region, which is central to the UK's foreign policy.

We are therefore delighted to announce this UKABC online conversation with Richard Graham, MP, the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and ASEAN. Richard will start by introducing CPTPP and what this means for the UK, before going on to take questions.