Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect formal negotiations on the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to begin.

On Monday 1^st February, the Government submitted its notification of intent to begin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession process. This was the first formal step towards accession before the launch of formal negotiations.

The Government will publish the negotiation objectives, scoping analysis, and consultation response in advance of the start of formal negotiations. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the CPTPP membership, negotiations will begin once the CPTPP membership formally invite the UK to proceed. The Government expects this decision will be taken soon.