WT/REG395/M/1  
 
9 July 2021 
(21-5448) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
Hundredth Session    
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE AGREEMENT FOR TRANS -PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 
(CPTPP) , GOODS AND SERVICES  
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF  21 JUNE  2021 
Ambassador H.E. Dr. Cleopa Kilonzo MAILU (Kenya)  
1.1.  The 100th Session of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (hereinafter  "CRTA " or the 
"Committee ") was convened in Airgram WTO/AIR/RTA/ 25/Rev.1  dated 11 June 2021. 
1.2.  Under Agenda Item D.I of the Session, the CRTA considered the Comprehensive and 
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership , goods  and services  (hereinafter  "the 
Agreement  or CPTPP "). The Chairman  stated that the Factual Presentation had been prepared by 
the Secretariat on its own responsibility in full consul tation with the Parties, in accordance with 
paragraph 7(b) of the Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements 
(document  WT/L/671).  
1.3.  The Chairman indicated that the Agreement had entered into force on 30 December 2018 for 
Australia, Canada, Japan, M exico, New Zealand and Singapore; and 14  January 2019 for Viet Nam. 
Ratification of the Agreement was still pending for the other four signatories – Brunei Darussalam, 
Chile, Malaysia , and Peru. The Committee thus only consider ed the CPTTP in relation to the seven 
Parties  who had ratified it . The Agreement  had been notified on 20 December 2018 under 
Article  XXIV:7(a) of the GATT  1994 and GATS  Article  V:7(a) (documents WT/REG395/N/1 and 
S/C/N/920) as an agreement establishing a free trade area for trade in goods within the meaning of 
Article XXIV of the GATT 1994 and for trade in services within the meaning of Article V of the GATS, 
respect ively. The text of the Agreement and its Annexes was available on Parties' official websites. 
The Factual Presentation on the goods and services aspects of the Agreement 
(document  WT/REG395/1 dated 1 April 2021, and Addenda  1-7) and questions and replies o n this 
Agreement (document WT/REG395/2 dated 16 June 2021) ha d been distributed.  
1.4.  The representative of New Zealand  in its capacity as depository of the Agreement thanked the 
Members for the interest they had shown in the Agreement .  
1.5.  Looking first at the Agreement 's objectives , New Zealand  stressed that the negotiating Parties  
had set ambitious goals.  The story of the CPTPP had been  one of a long -term vision for a cutting 
edge, 21st century agreement to promote the expansion of open, r ules-based trade and economic 
growth in the Indo -Pacific region and beyond.  This had been  express ed in the Agreement 's preamble, 
including the aspiration for the CPTPP to:  contribute  to maintaining open markets, increasing world 
trade, and creating new eco nomic opportunities for people of all incomes and economic backgrounds;  
promote  further regional economic integration and cooperation between them; enhance  
opportunities for the acceleration of regional trade liberalisation and investment;  and reaffirm  the 
importance of promoting corporate social responsibility, cultural identity and diversity, 
environmental protection and conservation, gender equality, indigenous rights, labour rights, 
inclusive trade, sustainable development and traditional kn owledge, as well as the importance of 
preserving their right to regulate in the public interest.  
1.6.  Looking at outcomes , he pointed out that  the Agreement  was one of a new generation of 
"mega -regional " FTAs, with eleven members spanning four continents, cover ing a population of 
nearly half a billion people and accounting for over 13% of world GDP (or more than US D 10 trillion).  WT/REG395/M/1  
 
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  It was also known for its high level of ambition – both its advanced rules and its high standard 
market access commitments. It aim ed to eliminate tariffs and other barriers to trade and investment 
across the CPTPP region.  This ha d resulted in the CPTPP becoming a trailblazer in many of the areas 
of importance to the wider multilateral trade agenda, with its advance d provisions in:  environment, 
including disciplines on fisheries subsidies to help address the problems of overfished stocks and 
illegal, unreported, unregulated (or IUU) fishing;  labour, and associated technical assistance and 
cooperation provisions, whic h demonstrate d that the bar could  be raised on these issues and might  
serve as an approach in other contexts;  e-commerce and digital trade, foreshadowing a number of 
the issues that were at present under discussion in the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on 
E-Commerce, Digital Trade;  comprehensive and high standard disciplines in such areas as 
competition policy, state -owned enterprises, and government procurement to promote a fair and 
open trade and investment environment;  modern approaches to customs admini stration and trade 
facilitation, building on the WTO 's Trade Facilitation Agreement, and more detailed annexes 
addressing specific technical barriers to trade;  more fully elaborated disciplines on domestic 
regulation affecting trade in services, building o n the GATS, and paralleling some of the work 
currently under way in the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Domestic Regulation; and a dedicated 
chapter to promote greater SME engagement in international trade.  
1.7.  The Agreement's  signature in March 2018, and e ntry into force before the end of that year, 
were important signals of the commitment of CPTPP Members to maintaining and further 
strengthening the principles of an open, inclusive and rules -based trading system. CPTPP Members 
continue d to measure themselves against these ambitious objectives as they worked to maximise 
the benefits offered by the CPTPP.  The 2021 Chair, Japan , would  further outline the activities it would 
be leading in 2021 .  
1.8.  The Parties  had seen examples of intra -CPTPP trade for both goods and services increasing 
since ratification. Though the available data was limited at this stage, trade flows between those 
Parties for which the CPTPP ha d established new FTA partnerships ha d led to an inc rease in the trade 
of goods by around one percent (US D 568 million) in 2019, compared to 2018.  There also ha d been 
an increase in services trade between these partners over the same period. Results such as these 
were significant when considering the trade impacts from the pandemic, providing an important 
economic buffer for the seven CPTPP Parties.  
1.9.  The Parties  were resolved to continue to work together to address COVID -19 economic 
recovery, including through ongoing work to establish and strengthen supply chains and to examine 
ways in which the CPTPP could be used to facilitate digital trade responses to COVID -19. They were 
committed to avoid unjustified trade restrictive measures and to implementing measures in line with 
the provisions of the Agreement  to facilitate the flow of essential goods and services during the 
pandemic, including medical supplies and equipment , medicines, agriculture and food products and 
other supplies across borders, in a manner consistent with international trade rules.  
1.10.   Looking at continued future growth , the Agreement had been  recogni zed as "a gold standard 
agreement".  This was one of the core reasons it ha d proved of such interest to a range of potential 
new members.  The Agreement had been  designed with expansion in mind. At the first Commission 
meeting in January 2019, the CPTPP members  had reaffirmed that the Agreement was open to 
expans ion through accession by economies willing and able to meet its high standards  and adopted 
its accession procedures. These accession procedures ma de clear that aspirant economies would  
need to:  comply with all of the existing rules contained in the CPTPP; and,  deliver the highest 
standard of market access commitments, consistent with the Agreement 's objectives of the 
elimination of tariffs and other barriers to trade and investment.  
1.11.   The CPTPP members had been  pleased to welcome the first formal reque st to accede to the 
Agreement , by the UK in February  2021. The CPTPP Commission had decided on 2 June 2021 to 
commence the accession process with the UK and had established a working group to negotiate this 
accession.  
1.12.   In the two years since its entry into force, the Agreement  had helped protect its Parties from 
some of the buffeting arising from growing tensions and protectionist tendencies  seen in the 
international trading system, including in response to the COVID -19 pandemic.  WT/REG395/M/1  
 
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  1.13.   The Agreement  had also chart ed a path for the future, including through:  its effect in driving 
increased alignment in trade rules across the region to support stronger and more diversified trade 
value chains for its members; and,  the active forward work programme being pursued by the CPTPP 
Commission and its extensive committee structure.  
1.14.   Looking at ratifications , the Parties  were also looking forward to being able to welcome the 
four remaining original signatories on board as full Parties before too long. CPTPP Parties were 
hopefu l that these signatories would  ratify the Agreement as soon as possible , and they were aware 
that the four remaining original signatories  were working hard to complete their domestic processes 
to that end.  Given the importance that had been  attach ed to mai ntaining solidarity among the CPTPP 
membership,  in the meantime Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, and Peru ha d continued to engage actively in 
the work of the CPTPP.  
1.15.   In conclusion , New Zealand  on behalf of the  CPTPP Parties  thank ed the  Committee  for the 
interest it had shown in the Agreement . CPTPP  Members were proud that the Agreement  had stood 
out over the past two and a half years as a beacon of what could  be achieved in the promotion of 
more open, inclusive and rules -based trade.   
1.16.   The representative of Japan  in its capacity as 2021 Chair  of the  CPTPP Commission,  made 
additional remarks to briefly overview 2021 activities under the CPTPP.  Japan noted  that the CPTPP 
Members were strongly committed to a free, fair, open, effective, and  inclusive rules -based trading 
system, and in order to fulfil this commitment, the Parties  had been engaged in steady 
implementation and expansion of the CPTPP. The CPTPP Commission had held four meetings since 
the entry into force  of the Agreement , includ ing ministerial level meetings, and expand ed 
cooperation activities to promote implementation.  
1.17.   As one such activit y, Japan had hosted the CPTPP E -Commerce Webinar on 1 April  2021. 
While digital technologies were drawing more attention especially because of the pandemic,  the 
Parties  had explored how the Agreement  could be utilized to enhance digitalization in the Asia -Pacific 
region and how the CPTPP members could  contribute to global rulemaking  in this field. The Webinar 
had been  attended by high -level government officials, business representatives and stakeholders to 
discuss the relevance of the Agreement 's E-Commerce rules for business activities and the benefits.  
1.18.   The CPTPP had been  at the forefront of contributing to various international rules -making 
initiatives, and, the Parties  believe d, it was making a positive impact on WTO negotiations for 
e-Commerce rules and other trade agreements.  
1.19.   Besides e -commerce, Japan had planned to hold a series of webinar sessions on global 
environmental issues to  contribute to address common challenges for the international  community, 
making good use of this comprehensive Agreement.  
1.20.   Japan further briefed the Committee on the 4th meeting of the CPTPP Commission. The 
meeting had been  held virtually at ministerial le vel on 2 June and  had been chaired by Japan. At 
that meeting, the Commission  had decided to commence the accession process requested by the 
United Kingdom and established a working group to negotiate this accession. In making its decision, 
mindful of the need to advance the high -standard rules of the CPTPP, the Commission had taken  
into consideration the UK 's experience with high -standard trade and investment rules; its clea r 
commitment to promote transparency, predictability, and confidence in the rules -based trading 
system; and its affirmation of its intention and ability to meet the high standards of the CPTPP.  
Japan also mentioned  that the  U.K.'s accession process was just beginning ; however, like WTO 
accessions, there  would  be an intensive and vigorous negotiating process ahead, with the aim of 
agreeing on the terms and conditions that fulfil led the high standards of the CPTPP.  
1.21.   In conclusion  the representative of Japan  said that  the CPTPP Members h ad been making 
steady progress in implementation of the Agreement and its expansion. Through these activities, 
the Parties  were determined to advance the CPTPP 's high -standard rules for the 21st century and 
further promote free trade, open and competitive markets,  and economic integration in the 
Asia-Pacific region and beyond.  
1.22.   The representative of  the Separate Customs Territory of Taipei, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
(Chinese Taipei) welcome d the ex pansion of the CPTPP  which  would  contribute  to the prosperity and WT/REG395/M/1  
 
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  stability of th e global and regional economies alike. Chinese Taipei  stood ready and was willing to 
join the CPTPP at the earliest opportunity  and would  work together with other Members , both 
UNCTAD and the WTO, and under regional arrangements to promote the growth of international 
trade and to help the global economy to recover from the impact of COVID -19. Chinese Taipei  looked 
forward to participating in any regional cooperation in the future.  
1.23.   The representative of the Philippines  thank ed the Parties of the Agreement  for their replies to 
questions posed. These  had been  transmitted to the Capital which  was now looking at them.  
1.24.   The representative of the United Kingdom  thank ed New Zealand and Japan for the detailed 
overview  of the  Agreement  – a cutting edge FTA which, as the Parties had outlined,  went beyond 
the spectrum of liberalisation and into innovative, forward -looking chapters. From the United 
Kingdom's  perspective , it was a powerful example of the benefits of free and rules -based trade.  The 
United Kingdom particularly welcome d the rules on data that had been  outlined: these should deliver 
concrete gains for businesses trading under the Agreement , in the context of the e -commerce boom 
that had been seen over the last year or so.  Specifically, the United Kingdom  noted how the cutting -
edge digital trade provisions facilitate d free and trusted cross -border data flows, remove d 
unnecessary barriers for businesses, and protect ed commercial source code and encryption, as well 
as world -leading standards of protection for individuals ' personal data.   
1.25.   In addition, the United Kingdom  also welcomed the comprehensive coverage on on -tariff 
barriers as well as customs facilitation. Those ru les, along with the SME provisions, would  help 
covered businesses of all sizes to cut down on costly and time -consuming red tape.  The United 
Kingdom also welcomed the capacity building angles across th e Agreement , which aim ed to facilitate 
meaningful trade  integration from across the development spectrum.  
1.26.   The United Kingdom reiterated its thanks to those who had presented. Given the United 
Kingdom's  interest, it came  as no surprise that the United Kingdom ha d launched discussions with 
a view to joining thi s agreement.  
1.27.   The representative of the European Union  congratulate d the Parties on the conclusion of the 
Agreement . She welcome d the high tariff and services liberalization, the inclusion of provisions on 
investments, on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), competition, labour and environment, and 
e-commerce.  She also thank ed the Parties for their responses to the EU questions.  
1.28.   The representative of  Colombia  thank ed all the Members of the CPTPP for the presentations, 
and for having responded to Colombia's  questions. The replies had been  sent to Capital. Colombia 
had questions on issues such as rules of origin, accumulation of origin , TBT, regulatory issues and 
also fisher ies subsidies. For Colombia  these issues were terribly important,  and the Agreement  was 
a reflection of significant progress and also was based on what ha d been discussed at the WTO.  
1.29.   The representative of  Uruguay1 congratulate d the members of the  Agreement  for the 
notification of the Treaty and the Secretariat for the factual presentation at the 100th Session of the 
Committee. Uruguay  also took note of the rules negotiated in the Treaty and underst ood that they 
fed into the rules negotiated in the WTO and s erved as a source of inspiration .  
1.30.   The economies of the members of the CPTPP (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, 
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam), represented in 2020, 9% of 
Uruguay's total exports, (USD 693.5 million)  comp ared to 7% of its total exports (USD 653.3 million) 
in 2019 . In terms of Uruguay's  top 10 export destinations, the CPTPP  economies as a group  ranked 
4th after China, Brazil and the European Union.  As a commercial block, the CPTPP ranked 5th (as a 
main destination) , after China, MERCOSUR, the European Union and the USMCA. Among the CPTPP  
Members , four amount ed to almost 90% of Uruguay's total export s: in 2020 40% of Uruguay's 
exports to CPTPP Members went  to Mexico  (Uruguay's 6th largest export destination  globally ), 
followed by Peru (19%, 10th largest global export destination ), Chile (16%) and Canada (12%).  
1.31.   In relation to the accession of new members, although it was understood that the conditions 
would  be negotiated bilaterally, Uruguay  was interested in knowing  if it was possible to contemplate 
 
1 The statement has been included in the minutes of the meeting at the request of the delegation of 
Uruguay  which had technical difficulties connecting to the meeting . WT/REG395/M/1  
 
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  differential deadlines and specific exceptions. Likewise, Uruguay  highlighted it s interest in knowing 
how the synchronization mechanism would work for countries that adhere to the Agreement.  
1.32.   In conclu sion, Uruguay  reiterate d its appreciation for t he transparency  exercise in the 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements.  
1.33.   The Chairman  noted that the consideration of the Goods and Services Aspects of the 
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) , had allowed the 
Committee  to clarify a number of questions and thus conclude d the oral discussion of th e Agreement 
in accordance with paragraph 11 of the Transparency Mechanism . If any delegations wish ed to ask  
follow -up questions they were invited to forward submissions in writing to the Secretariat by 28 June 
2021 and Parties were asked to submit replies in writing by no later than 12  July 2 021. In accordance 
with paragraph  13 of the Transparency Mechanism all written su bmissions, as well as minutes of this 
meeting would  be circulated promptly, in all WTO  official languages, and would  be made available on 
the WTO website.  
1.34.   The Committee  took note  of the comments made.  
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