Joining is central plank of Liz Truss’s plan to refocus UK trade relationships post-Brexit

The UK has moved a step closer to strengthening trade links with Asia-Pacific nations after the 11 members of the region’s overarching trade treaty have agreed to start negotiations for Britain’s entry.

Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, an alliance of Pacific Ocean countries which spans a market of 500 million people, is a central plank of UK trade minister Liz Truss’s plan to refocus Britain’s trade relationships following Britain’s exit from the EU.