Question Period Note: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

CPTPP’s role in enhancing and diversifying trade opportunities for Canadian consumers and firms

• The CPTPP is a cornerstone of Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, helping to support jobs, strengthen economic relations, and boost Canada’s trade with important trading partners.
• The CPTPP is one of the largest trading blocs in the world, comprising 594 million consumers and 14.4% of the global economy. Since 2019, Canada’s merchandise exports to CPTPP countries have increased by approximately 24%.
• In addition to enhancing market access in vibrant Indo-Pacific markets, the CPTPP diversifies Canada’s supply chains, reduces risk, costs and barriers, making Canadian exports more price-competitive.
• The CPTPP is designed to evolve and expand over time, including through periodic reviews and the accession of new economies. Parties are currently negotiating Costa Rica’s potential accession to the Agreement.
• The United Kingdom accession protocol is not yet in force between Canada and the U.K. Canada will first need to complete its domestic ratification procedures.

The CPTPP provides Canada with preferential access to a market of 594 million consumers across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The CPTPP includes 12 countries -- Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United Kingdom.

The CPTPP is in force between Canada and all CPTPP countries with the exception of the U.K. Entry into force between Canada and the U.K. would occur 60 days after the completion of Canada’s domestic ratification procedures.

The CPTPP is designed to evolve and expand over time, including through a periodic review of the Agreement’s implementation and the accession of new economies. To date, China, Taiwan, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Ukraine and Uruguay have applied for CPTPP accession.

In November 2024, Parties launched accession negotiations with Costa Rica. In any accession, the applicant must demonstrate compliance with the high standard rules of the existing Agreement and provide meaningful market access.

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