Mary Ng and Dennis Darby: Why it’s time for the U.K. to join CPTPP

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In his 2015 book Pacific, British writer Simon Winchester took a big-picture view of the world’s largest ocean and the countries and economies in its vicinity, noting that, “If the Atlantic Ocean was, and to some people still remains, the inland sea of the Modern World; then surely it can be argued that the Pacific Ocean is the inland sea of Tomorrow’s World.”

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Less than a decade later, his assessment has never been more true.

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For Canada, there will be no greater means of access to tomorrow’s world than with the U.K.’s accession to the CPTPP, or Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

With the accession of the world’s sixth-largest economy, we are nearly there.

We say “nearly” because now it’s now up to us, the 11 current members of the CPTPP, and the U.K., to ratify the agreement as per our respective parliaments.

This fall, all 338 Members of Parliament will vote on whether Canada will allow one of its longest standing allies to help grow our economy, support our geopolitical position across the Indo-Pacific.

And, as Canada takes the next steps in our Indo-Pacific strategy, the CPTPP is an important foundation, with trade between us reaching nearly $124 billion in 2022, growing by more than 19 per cent as compared to 2021.

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The Indo-Pacific makes up more than one-third of all global economic activity and accounts for 65 per cent of the global population.

By 2030, it will be home to two-thirds of the global middle class.

By 2040, it will account for more than half of the global economy.

As we look to the future, every issue that matters to Canadians — national security, inclusive economic growth, respect for international law, democratic values, public health, protecting our environment, and human rights — will be shaped by how Canada and our partners strengthen relationships with Indo-Pacific countries.

Our government and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters know that this agreement is built to open new doors for businesses, manufacturers and exporters, while creating good jobs and opportunities for workers on both sides of the Indo-Pacific.

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Long-standing trade relationships like those with allies such as the U.K. and countries throughout the Indo-Pacific and around the world do not happen by accident.

They have been built deliberately through agreements like the CPTPP, that create market access that is both ambitious and progressive.

Right now, we have a chance to take the next steps, open new doors for our businesses and expand the benefits of free trade to even more businesses and their workers.

Let’s not strike out with the bases loaded — Canada needs to ratify CPTPP.

Mary Ng is Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development.

Dennis Darby is the President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

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