Britain has been formally approved to join the CPTPP

Britain has been formally approved to join the trans-Pacific trade agreement (CPTPP). The 11 current members signed the document, giving Britain the green light, at their ministerial-level meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, on Sunday. Britain is the first country to join the pact following the original 11 members.

Its accession widens the pact's economic sphere to Europe. Britain has been in negotiations to join the trade bloc since 2021, following its departure from the European Union the year before. After the country completes the ratification process, the pact will formally have 12 members.