Join the discussion: The General Review of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Global Affairs Canada is seeking input from businesses and other interested parties on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as part of the Agreement’s mandated General Review. All CPTPP Members, including Canada, will contribute to the General Review – Canada’s contribution will be informed by parties’ comments.

Purpose of consultation

The purpose of the General Review process is to evaluate the performance of the CPTPP with a view to updating and enhancing the Agreement to ensure that it remains of the highest possible standard for trade agreements. A priority objective of this process is to identify ways to facilitate maximum utilisation of the CPTPP by traders and investors and to improve the uptake of the Agreement, particularly by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The exercise will also seek to identify outcomes that would support women’s and Indigenous Peoples’ economic empowerment, and sustainable environmental practices.

CPTPP members endorsed the Terms of Reference for Conducting the General Review of the CPTPP on November 15, 2023 to guide the work on the General Review, for which the objectives are to:

• Review the operation of the CPTPP to ensure the disciplines contained in the Agreement remain relevant to the trade and investment issues and challenges confronting the Members;
• Identify provisions that would benefit from revision or updating, and the potential for the development of new provisions or Chapters;
• Review the operation of the CPTPP with a view to identifying ways to facilitate maximum utilisation of the CPTPP by traders and investors and to improve the uptake of the Agreement; and
• Ensure the Agreement remains of the highest possible standard.

Questions to guide submissions

Global Affairs Canada invites interested parties to submit their views on the functioning of the CPTPP and on how to improve the Agreement.

Here are some general questions to guide your submission:

1. Since entry into force of the Agreement, have you used any of the CPTPP provisions? This notably includes importing or exporting goods or services with CPTPP partners under the CPTPP's preferential tariff rates; working in a CPTPP country; and, commenting on labour or environmental practices through the respective public portals. If yes, provide a brief overview of your experience.
2. In your experience, what have been the advantages of the CPTPP? What have been the shortcomings? Please be specific.
3. Do you have suggestions on how to encourage greater use of the CPTPP by all groups (including SMEs, Indigenous, women-owned businesses) to improve the uptake of the Agreement? In other words, how could Canada and other CPTPP members support and enhance the use of the CPTPP?
4. Are there existing provisions in the Agreement that would benefit from revision or updating? Do you have suggestions to improve and/or modernize the Agreement, including to address emerging issues such as digital and green economy, supply chain resilience, inclusive trade, and innovation?

Who should participate?

This consultation is open to the public and everyone is invited to share their ideas.

Global Affairs Canada welcomes submissions from all interested parties including:

• businesses, including micro-, small, medium sized enterprises
• industry associations
• labour unions
• Provincial, Territorial and municipal governments
• civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations
• Indigenous Peoples
• experts and academics
• other individuals and organisations who wish to comment on the CPTPP

For reasons of confidentiality and security, the submissions and names of contributors to this consultation process will not be released to the public by the Government of Canada.

Join in: how to participate

Send us an email

Send an email to cptpp-ptpgp.consultations@international.gc.ca with your ideas or comments to make yourself heard

Background

The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Canada and 10 other countries in the Pacific region: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. On July 16, 2023, CPTPP Parties signed an Accession Protocol with the United Kingdom. The CPTPP covers virtually all sectors and aspects of trade between Canada and member countries to reduce trade barriers and facilitate trade.

The CPTPP is helping to create jobs, strengthen economic relations, and boost Canada’s trade with important trading partners. The CPTPP provides preferential access to key markets in Asia and Latin America. With the recent addition of the U.K., once fully implemented, the CPTPP will establish a free trade area representing over 15% of global GDP and more than 580 million consumers.

Related links

• CPTPP explained
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
• CPTPP General Review Terms of Reference