On Thursday 20 November, the European Union and the twelve countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) launched a dialogue on trade and investment (see EUROPE 13726/38). This forum will strengthen cooperation in five key areas: - commercial diversification; - digital trade; - trade and investment facilitation; - supply chain resilience; - the global trade environment.
For several years now, the EU has been seeking closer ties with the countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which it regards as reliable partners. It is also of strategic interest at a time when the two world powers, China and the United States, are moving away from the rules of world trade.
“Our reinforced cooperation with CPTPP partners therefore speaks volumes about the importance of our shared approach to trade: open, rules-based, stable,” said EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who formalised the launch in Australia. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)