Application Immediately After US-UK-Australia AUKUS Announcement
US State Department Expresses Opposition to China's Membership
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] China has officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Following the Quad and the launch of the security pact AUKUS among the US, UK, and Australia, as the US deepens its economic containment of China, it is interpreted that China has played the CPTPP membership card to break free from international isolation and expand its influence in the region. Concerns are emerging that the US-China trade hegemony competition and trade conflicts will intensify over China's CPTPP accession.
On the 16th (local time), China's state-run Global Times reported that China's Ministry of Commerce officially submitted the CPTPP membership application to New Zealand's Ministry of Trade. The CPTPP is currently chaired by Japan, and New Zealand is receiving membership applications. After applying, Wang Wentao, China's Minister of Commerce, reportedly held a video conference with Damien O'Connor, New Zealand's Minister of Trade.
The CPTPP began in 2010 under the name Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), led by the US, but after the US announced its withdrawal during the Donald Trump administration in 2017, it was re-established as a free trade agreement framework in the Indo-Pacific region led by Japan. The current members include 11 countries: Japan (the chair), Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Canada, Peru, Chile, and Mexico. South Korea has been reviewing membership since early this year following President Moon Jae-in's directive. The UK has also been undergoing the membership application process since June.
China's CPTPP application is interpreted as an attempt to weaken the US encirclement by leveraging its economic power. However, since unanimous approval from existing members is required for accession, difficulties are expected.
The US immediately moved to counter China. In a statement from the US Department of State on the same day, it expressed opposition to China's CPTPP membership, stating, "China's non-market trade practices and economic threats to other countries will be factors in members' decisions on membership recognition."
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