UK Unlocks £13 Trillion Trading Bloc as 99% of Goods Exports Become Eligible for Zero Tariffs

UK businesses can now access the full benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), after Canada completed the final stage of ratifying the UK's accession.

The move gives British companies preferential access across all 11 other CPTPP member economies, covering markets in Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. Together, the bloc's economies were worth £12.9 trillion in 2025 with the UK included, up from £9.8 trillion before Britain joined.

More than 99 per cent of the UK's current goods exports to CPTPP countries will be eligible for zero tariffs under the agreement. The UK Government estimates that membership could add around £2 billion a year to the economy in the long term.

Canada Completes UK's CPTPP Entry

The UK signed the CPTPP accession agreement in 2023, with membership taking effect with its first group of countries in 2024. Canada was the final member to ratify the UK's accession, allowing the full agreement to take effect between the two countries on 1 September 2026.

The 11 other members are Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, alongside Canada.

The agreement gives qualifying British exports access to lower or zero tariffs across member markets, depending on the product and applicable rules. The Government expects sectors including manufacturing, food and drink and services to benefit.

UK companies will also gain greater access to public procurement in areas including air transport, accounting and financial services.

Business mobility rules will allow eligible UK business visitors to Canada to stay for up to six months, compared with the previous limit of 90 days in any six-month period under the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement.

British Businesses Begin Using New Access

Some British exporters are already using CPTPP provisions in other member markets. Agri-tech manufacturer EmTech Hatchery Systems said the agreement had supported its activity in Peru and Mexico and could create further opportunities in Canada.

The company produces poultry incubation and ventilation equipment and sends engineers and technical specialists overseas for installations, training and after-sales support.

EmTech managing director Ken Baker said the company had already exported to Canada and expected full CPTPP access to provide further scope for growth.

The agreement is also intended to simplify customs procedures and improve market access for UK services companies, although the benefits will vary between sectors and individual countries.

What It Means for Consumers

The Government expects the agreement to widen access to imported goods and potentially reduce prices on some products.

It has highlighted fruit juices from Chile and Peru and chocolate from Mexico as examples of goods that could benefit from lower import costs.

Trade Minister Anas Sarwar said CPTPP membership would create opportunities for British companies across growing markets, while Chancellor John Healey said it would give businesses access to new customers, contracts and investment.

The Government estimates that full CPTPP membership could eventually add £2 billion a year to the UK economy. However, that is a long-term projection and the actual impact will depend on how extensively British businesses use the new market access.

With Canada's ratification complete, the UK now has full access to all 11 other CPTPP markets, completing one of its largest post-Brexit trade agreements.