CPTPP parties begin accession talks with Philippines, Indonesia and UAE

Parties to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership have agreed to begin preparatory discussions with the Philippines, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, opening a potential path to further expansion of one of the world’s largest trade blocs.

The decision was confirmed at the 10th CPTPP Commission Meeting, held virtually on 26 June 2026. The UK welcomed the move in a statement published on 30 June.

CPTPP currently has 12 members across Asia-Pacific and beyond, including Japan, Canada, Australia and the UK. The UK government said the agreement covers around 15% of global GDP.

The development is relevant to trade finance because any expansion of CPTPP could affect tariff treatment, rules of origin, supply chain structures and trade corridors across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and other member markets.

For banks and trade finance providers, trade agreement expansion is not just a tariff issue. Simpler trading rules and deeper regional integration can change how companies structure procurement, inventory, supplier relationships and cross-border working capital.

The Philippines, Indonesia and the UAE each bring distinct trade finance relevance. The Philippines and Indonesia are major Southeast Asian markets with large SME bases, growing manufacturing capacity and active import-export sectors. The UAE is a major trade, logistics and re-export hub connecting Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Preparatory discussions do not guarantee accession or the start of formal negotiations. They are designed to assess engagement and understanding of CPTPP standards before any further process is launched.

Even so, the move points to continuing interest in rules-based trade frameworks at a time when tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty are forcing companies to reassess supply chains.