Submission: Transform Trade to the House of Lords International Agreements Committee on UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, September 2023
Transform Trade calls for a halt to UK membership of giant Pacific trade deal.
Members of a key committee in the House of Lords are currently considering the merits of the UK joining a giant Pacific trade deal, the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP). There is nothing in the deal to ensure it is compatible with sustainable development or human rights, including workers rights. Worse, the Government’s own assessments show that it will lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. In return for signing up to the agreement, the UK gets a tiny economic benefit – worth about ten cups of coffee per person per year.
CPTPP has eleven existing member countries, making it the biggest deal on the UK’s current list of negotiations. It includes countries as varied as Peru, Mexico, Vietnam, Australia and Canada and its provisions will impact on everything from agriculture to health care. The Government wants to have UK membership done and dusted by next summer, which means there is a small window to get change. At the same time, the Government’s track record suggests it will not allow for a proper process of parliamentary scrutiny.
Transform Trade are calling for the UK to halt the ratification process to the CPTPP. Instead, we want the Government to:
Develop a strategy to make sure trade policy is in line with climate, development and human rights commitments, before it continues with any negotiations.
Put in place transparent processes for the development of trade policy and agreements, and a robust process for scrutiny so that ordinary people and politicians can have their voices heard.
Make sure trade agreements support the shift to sustainable agriculture, and in particular suspend provisions relating to seed patenting, and work with the Global South to develop a better approach.
Revise its approach to intellectual property rules like patents, so that they are in line with climate, human rights and sustainable development commitments.
Undertake a thorough assessment of the social, environmental and development impacts of digital provisions, and facilitate a robust public debate so that the digital economy is fair for everyone.
Take steps to ensure the poorest countries don’t lose hard-won gains in trade agreements, for example by losing market share to other countries.
Seek exemptions from investor-to-state dispute settlement provisions with all remaining CPTPP countries and cancel bilateral deals containing the mechanism.
Formally align its trade deals with climate commitments so that no agreement can proceed unless it contributes to meeting climate targets. This will require collaboration and financial support to developing countries.