Vietnam ratifies UK's CPTPP accession protocol

The U.K.'s protocol of accession to CPTPP is an integral part of the trade deal, according to Vu Hai Ha, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

The NA’s ratification is expected to contribute to enhancing Vietnam’s role and position in international economic cooperation.

The U.K. has committed to a higher level of market opening for Vietnam than other countries in the CPTPP and higher than the commitments under the U.K. – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), for some important issues. Under the CPTPP’s commitments, the U.K. will recognise that Vietnam's manufacturing industries operate under market-based economic conditions.

The NA’s ratification will make Vietnam among the first six CPTPP member countries to approve the U.K.’s accession protocol.

"This demonstrates Vietnam’s proactiveness and responsibility in accelerating bilateral trade and investment relations with the U.K., as well as affirming the role and position of Vietnam in the regional and international arenas, create new momentum for the country’s socio-economic development, improve the legal system and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises," Ha said.

Some NA deputies, however, expressed concerns about challenges from higher requirements for trade and investment, urging solutions to be raised to bring into play opportunities from the FTAs.

In response, Ha said that the focus would be on increasing communication to improve awareness and understanding of CPTPP and UKVFTA.

In the draft plan for implementing the U.K.’s accession protocol, the Government had assigned relevant ministries and agencies to review and study amendments to the existing legal documents and issuance of new ones for commitments between Vietnam and the U.K.

According to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee, there might be six CPTPP members who complete their ratification of the accession protocol by Oct. 16, 2024, meaning that the protocol will come into force from Dec. 16.

Hải said that it was necessary to have plans for improving the legal framework to implement the protocol when it takes effect.

CPTPP is a free trade agreement in force between 11 countries including Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

The CPTPP came into being on December 30, 2018, with the first six countries to ratify the agreement being Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore.

The agreement has been in force for Vietnam since Jan. 14, 2019.

On July 16, 2023, CPTPP parties signed an accession protocol with the U.K., welcoming them as the 12th member.

The CPTPP will enter into force for the U.K. once all CPTPP members, including the U.K., complete their respective ratification processes.

If all members have not ratified it by Oct. 16, 2024, the protocol will enter into force after six CPTPP members and the U.K. ratify the agreement.