‘Beyond the Galapagos Syndrome’: Mapping the Future of UK-Japan Economic Cooperation Luke Cavanaugh (ed.), Olivia Bisbee, Owain Cooke, Kezzie Florin-Sefton, Elizabeth Steel
practises.75 If the UK accedes to the CPTPP, it could benefit economically from the pact’s expansion (as could Japan), particularly if the US seeks to re-join the group. The economic benefits of membership are certainly not the only consideration, as projecting an image of a ‘Global Britain’ and allying with other defenders of the liberal international order and free, rules-based trade would also benefit the UK’s reputation globally, although China’s potential accession could complicate this for all members.76 Since the exit of the US from the TPP, Japan has taken on a leadership role in establishing the CPTPP, suggesting that in the absence of the US, it is seeking to establish itself as a regional leader, while still using its influence in the CPTPP to ensure that its terms are favourable to future US entry.77 It has also emerged as a supporter of the UK’s application for admission to the pact, with both former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo and Yoshihide Suga welcoming the UK’s interest and emphasising their desire to see the CPTPP expand. Prime Minister Suga, who only left office in September 2021, focused on digital transformation and reducing greenhouse gases, both areas emphasised in British trade rhetoric
75
Department for International Trade, ‘UK Accession to CPTPP: The UK’s Strategic Approach’ ; Jeffrey J. Schott, ‘China’s CPTPP bid puts Biden on the spot’ (PIIE, September 23 2021) https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/chinas-cptpp-bid-puts-biden-sp ot?utm_source=update-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=piie-insider&utm_ter m=2021-09-29 accessed 17 October 2021 76 Yoichi Funabashi, ‘In America’s absence, Japan takes the lead on Asian free trade’ (The Washington Post, February 22, 2018) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/02/22/in-americas-absence-jap an-takes-the-lead-on-asian-free-trade/ accessed 17 October 2021 77 Funabashi, ‘In America’s absence, Japan takes the lead on Asian free trade’
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