Colombia has formally requested for permission to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), says Mexico’s Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo. The South American nation has formally notified New Zealand, the depositary of the 11-national deal, of its interest in joining the agreement once it comes into force.
The CPTPP has replaced the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was thrown into question early last year when U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal after his inauguration. The CPTPP comprises: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The United States withdrew from the deal as one of President Donald Trump’s first acts, but has in recent months discussed a return. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated that the United Kingdom had also shown real interest in joining the deal once Brexit was finalised.
