Manila, Philippines – The United Kingdom welcomes a significant milestone for the Philippines, as Parties to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) agreed to begin preparatory discussions on accession with the Philippines.
The announcement was made at the 10th CPTPP Commission Meeting held virtually on 26 June 2026, where Ministers confirmed that preparatory discussions will begin with the Philippines, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
CPTPP is one of the world’s most significant free trade agreements, which the UK joined in 2024. Its membership currently includes 12 economies spanning four continents across Asia-Pacific and beyond, including Japan, Canada, Australia, and the UK. CPTPP currently covers roughly 15% of global GDP.
The UK has been a consistent supporter of the Philippines’ application to join CPTPP. UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (Southeast Asia), Rhiannon Harries said the announcement builds on the CPTPP Joint Ministerial Statement from November 2025, which outlined CPTPP interest in the Philippines, Indonesia, and the UAE.
We’ve strongly supported the Philippines’ application. If the Philippines completes the process and joins the agreement, businesses in our countries would benefit from lower tariffs, simpler trading rules, and stronger supply chains,
She further added
These preparatory discussions could help lay the groundwork for the launch of a potential future accession process for the Philippines, which could open new opportunities for business, investment, and growth.”
For the Philippines, joining CPTPP would mean access to one of the world’s most comprehensive trade networks, potentially lowering tariffs and streamlining trading regulations across diverse markets. The UK sees CPTPP as an important strategic forum for advancing and expanding the reach of high standard, rules-based trade.
While preparatory discussions do not guarantee accession or the launch of formal negotiations, they are designed to advance engagement and understanding between the Philippines and CPTPP Parties on the agreement’s standards.
British Ambassador to the Philippines, Sarah Hulton OBE, said
We warmly welcome this important milestone. The UK looks forward to working together with CPTPP Parties and the Philippines through this process.”
The UK’s enthusiasm for this milestone reflects the strength of its partnership with the Philippines, which is especially meaningful as the two countries celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations this year.
The UK and the Philippines have been building deeper economic ties through the inaugural Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in 2025, which sets out closer cooperation across infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and technology. Philippine exporters also benefit from the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), offering tariff-free access on 92% of products.
The UK looks forward to continuing to work alongside the Philippines to strengthen trading relationship.
This announcement comes one year after the UK published its Trade Strategy, which included a focus on deepening and widening CPTPP.
