Britain has used its Brexit freedom to join the world’s fastest growing trade bloc in a massive blow to Starmer’s EU-orientated, rejoiner cabinet.
On Sunday, the UK formally joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) bloc, which includes massive economies like Japan, Australia and Canada.
As revealed by Facts4EU and GB News, it took just two years for nimble Brexit Britain to join the bloc, the negotiations for which were driven forwards by previous Conservative governments.
It was former Prime Minister Liz Truss who made the initial application. Commenting exclusively, she said: “Having made the UK’s formal application to join the CPTPP when I was International Trade Secretary, I’m delighted our membership of this vibrant trading bloc has finally been secured.
“Not only does it underline our position as a truly global trading nation, but the bloc also serves as a critical bulwark against China.
“Make no mistake, this was achieved by Conservatives in office – no thanks to the Labour politicians whose tedious attachment to the EU model prevents them from grasping the benefits of Brexit as we pursue an independent trade policy, no longer shackled by Brussels.”
Liz Truss was PM for 49 days
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It was Kemi Badenoch, then Secretary of State for Business and Trade, who signed the accession treaty in July 2023.
The current Leader of the Opposition said in July 2023: “I’m delighted to be here in New Zealand to sign a deal that will be a big boost for British businesses and deliver billions of pounds in additional trade, as well as open up huge opportunities and unparalleled access to a market of over 500 million people.
“We are using our status as an independent trading nation to join an exciting, growing, forward-looking trade bloc, which will help grow the UK economy and build on the hundreds of thousands of jobs CPTPP-owned businesses already support up and down the country.”
This comes as Keir Starmer continues to be accused of pivoting back to the EU as various members of his government call for a ‘reset with the EU’ and closer cooperation.
Starmer has strenuously denied a return to EU rules, stating yesterday: “We’ve been really clear from the get go that this is not about re entry to the EU, it’s not about going back to the old rules, the single market, the Customs Union, freedom of movement, whatever.
“But within that we do want to reset — I want to make sure that we get a better deal for people, for your readers, so they feel better off, they get better public services.
“We can do that with a reset. It’s not a reversal, I’ve been really clear about that, whichever way people voted in 2016, we are not going back in.”
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But critics point to ongoing discussions between the UK and EU over a scheme for freedom of movement for under 30s. Dubbed the ‘backpackers and baristas deal’, it is something the EU is campaigning for.
On this, Starmer said: “I’ve been clear from the get-go that freedom of movement is a red line for us, and no plans in relation to free movement on any level, but we’re entering into discussions.”
News of the UK’s accession to the CPTPP contrast highly favourably with the struggling EU.
For a start, the bloc’s two largest economies (France and Germany) are stagnating after political crises plunged their leaders into uncertainty.
Perhaps more embarrassing is the comparison of the UK’s accession to the CPTPP with the EU’s ill-fated attempt to join MERCOSUR, the trading block that makes up most of South America.
Negotiations between the two lumbering blocs started 9,278 days (25 years) ago and are yet to yield a deal.
That means when EU and MERCOSUR officials met for the first time, the Euro had just been introduced, Bill Clinton was being impeached and the DVDs were beginning to replace VHS tapes, and still there is no deal.
Continuing her reaction to the UK’s accession to the CPTPP, Truss said: “It’s important to remember that the crucial precursor to joining CPTPP was the trade deal I negotiated with Australia – which the Labour Party actively opposed at the time.
“So whatever platitudes emanate from the mouths of government ministers are frankly weasel words because this important development would never have happened if it had been left to them.”
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