CPTPP represents about 15 percent of the global economy. Current members include Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia. The U.K., which is the first new member to join, will complete its accession on Dec. 15.
Taiwan and China’s applications to join the bloc came less than a week apart in September 2021, followed by applications from Ukraine, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Indonesia.
“The issue with Taiwan is that it has not garnered consensus among certain members — notably Malaysia and Singapore,” said Vina Nadjibulla, a vice-president at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada think tank.
“The group has decided that the expansion is not going to be on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Nadjibulla, added.
Costa Rica and Taiwan, she added, “are the two most prepared applicants” to meet the high standards of the deal. “But the issue of Taiwan is held up because of the politics with China.”
Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia — which are allied with Beijing and count China among their largest trade partners — have said publicly that they support China’s accession.
