Cambodia applies to join trans-Pacific trade pact: Report

ISTANBUL

Cambodia has applied to join the trans-Pacific free trade pact, officials from member countries said Monday, according to Japan’s Kyodo News.

The talks on Cambodia's accession to the pact, formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, will begin once all the current members have given their consent and established a working group to discuss the terms.

At a ministerial-level meeting in Australia in November, discussions began on Uruguay's potential membership, with negotiations for the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, and Indonesia possibly starting as soon as next year. Costa Rica's membership is nearly finalized.

The trade deal, which took effect in 2018 after the US withdrew during President Donald Trump's first term, welcomed the UK as its 12th member in 2024.

It also includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.