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EU and CPTPP: A trade alliance that is revolutionizing the global economy!
The EU plans close trade ties with the CPTPP to address geopolitical tensions and counter China's influence.
EU and CPTPP: A trade alliance that is revolutionizing the global economy!
On July 6, 2025, the idea of closer cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Pact (CPTPP) will come into focus. The CPTPP, originally launched by the US to compete with China in trade, has gained importance following the US withdrawal under Donald Trump in 2017. This now opens up strategic opportunities for the EU in a changing global trading environment.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) support a cooperation that could cover 32% of the global economy - more than the USA, which is at 27%. The treaty would integrate countries such as Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The EU has already concluded free trade agreements with nine of the twelve CPTPP states and is currently negotiating with Australia and Vietnam.
Strategic importance of the EU-CPTPP cooperation
The EU faces the challenge of adapting its trade strategies in the face of geopolitical tensions. A deeper trade agreement with CPTPP could not only improve market access but also provide collective solutions to the challenges posed by Chinese overcapacity and state-run industries. Such a trade alliance would reshape the EU's relationships with key global players such as China, India and the US and could even serve as the basis for a new global trade order.
The benefits of membership or closer collaboration are many. This includes creating uniform trading rules, differentiating markets and setting global standards with regard to environmental and labor standards. The existing Committee for the Arbitration of Commercial Disputes (MIAP), which includes ten of the twelve CPTPP states and has been helpful since 2020, lays the foundation for such cooperation.
Challenges and perspectives
Despite the promising benefits, there are also concerns. Close cooperation could lead to a burden on the global south and limit consumer choice. While the USA is seen as a counterweight to regulatory measures, the interest in free global trade competes with institutional experiments.
The challenges of full EU membership in the CPTPP should not be underestimated. This includes the harmonization of standards and the creation of an internal consensus. However, a phased plan could provide the framework for an accession that could strengthen the EU's geopolitical power and raise the CPTPP's global GDP from 10% to over 30%.
In a world that is becoming increasingly multipolar, the EU's strategic decision to engage more actively in the CPTPP will continue to influence the geopolitical and economic balance. The integration could not only strengthen economic cooperation with existing CPTPP countries, but also expand the space for dynamic initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
This shows that the ongoing negotiations and strategic considerations on a possible partnership with the CPTPP could play a decisive role for the future economic stability of the EU. faz.net reports that... and moderndiplomacy.eu highlights that….