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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. (EPA-Yonhap News)

The United Kingdom announced on Jan. 30 that it plans to apply for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Feb. 1 in a bid to revitalize trade in the wake of Brexit.

The UK application to join is to be the first ever by a country outside of the original group at the time of the partnership’s launch.

Analysts are also predicting the UK may join the “Quad” framework developed by the US and others as a way of containing China. The moves suggest the UK is intensifying its push to expand its economic, diplomatic, and security frameworks beyond Europe.

In a Jan. 30 statement, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new partnership would “bring enormous economic benefits for the people of Britain” following its departure from the European Union.

“Applying to be the first new country to join the CPTPP demonstrates our ambition to do business on the best terms with our friends and partners all over the world and be an enthusiastic champion of global free trade,” he said.

Since formally leaving the EU in late January 2020, the UK has indicated its plans to take part in the CPTPP, which was formed by Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam, and seven other countries as a way of reducing or eliminating trade barriers. The CPTPP agreement is an amended form of the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that was launched by Japan, Australia, and other countries after the US’ departure.

Japan, which has spearheaded the partnership and serves as chair this year, has indicated that it welcomes the UK’s admission. The arrival of a major economic power like the UK would increase the CPTPP’s influence. The 11 members account for 13 percent of the world’s current gross domestic product (GDP); adding the UK would bring that up to 16 percent.

It would also be the first example of CPTPP-developed trade rules being applied in Europe.

But the process leading up to the UK’s final admission is expected to take some time. The Nikkei newspaper explained that the UK would “need to accept the CPTPP’s conditions concerning tariffs, e-commerce, and investment freedoms.”

“All of the ratified countries would also need to agree,” the newspaper added, noting that “some observers are predicting the admission process could take close to a year.”

Many are watching to see whether other countries will follow the UK’s lead. Analysts said the prospects of the US returning quickly under new President Joe Biden appear dim, with unions objecting to job losses associated with free trade.

China and South Korea are also mulling the option of applying. But Japan does not anticipate an easy path to China’s admission if the current rules are maintained, including one mandating high levels of market openness.

The UK also appears to be seeking paths away from Europe in the areas of foreign affairs and national security. Local news outlets have reported on the possibility of it joining the Quad, a framework for the US, Japan, Australia and India to implement an Indo-Pacific strategy to rein in China.

In a Jan. 28 article, the Daily Telegraph mentioned the possibility of the UK joining the Quad, noting the growing calls from conservatives for it to become more involved with Asia amid its growing confrontation with China over issues such as Hong Kong.

The Times also said on Jan. 29 that Johnson might raise the question of the UK’s participation in the Quad during a visit to India.

In a November 2020 report, the British policy think tank Policy Exchange – which has a major influence on the UK’s ruling Conservative Party – advised participating in the Quad framework, noting the major influence of conditions in the Indo-Pacific region on the UK’s post-Brexit strategy.

The first Quad meeting was held in New York in September 2019. In October 2020, a second meeting was held in Tokyo, and an agreement was reached to hold meetings on a regular basis.

US White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan commented on the Quad during a video seminar organized by the United States Institute of Peace on Jan. 29.

“I think we really want to carry forward and build on that format, that mechanism which we see as a foundation upon which to build substantial American policy in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

By Kim So-youn and Hwang Joon-bum, staff reporters

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