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Committee publication · Correspondence · 30 June 2026

Letter from the Minister for Trade relating to UK-Mexico trade under CPTPP, 22 June 2026

From: Business and Trade Committee

Summary

Minister for Trade Sir Chris Bryant notifies the Business and Trade Committee that UK-Mexico trade under the CPTPP entered into force on 22 June 2026 following Mexico's ratification. The agreement provides tariff benefits for British farmers and food manufacturers, expanded market access, enhanced digital trade provisions, and improved business travel commitments. Mexico is the 10th of 11 CPTPP members with whom the UK's accession is now operational.

Key findings

  • UK-Mexico CPTPP trade terms became effective 22 June 2026 after Mexico's ratification, enabling tariff-free or reduced-tariff access for UK chocolate (currently ~25% tariffs), cheese, dairy products, and pork exports.
  • Agreement includes new digital trade protections: cross-border data flows, source code protection, and prohibition of unjustified data localisation, with supply chain cumulation benefits for automotive and complex-supply-chain sectors.
  • Expanded business travel commitments beyond the current bilateral FTA: dependants can accompany intra-corporate transferees; new coverage for investors, independent professionals, and contractual service suppliers.
  • UK financial services firms gain greater legal certainty in Mexico market, particularly for portfolio management and e-payment card services.
  • Mexico is the 10th of 11 CPTPP member states where UK accession is in force; Canada expected to complete implementation legislation later in 2026.

Tone

Factual

Topics

tradeinternational-agreementstariffsdigital-tradeagriculture

Key actors

Sir Chris Bryant MP, Liam Byrne MP, Department for Business and Trade, UK government, Mexico, Canada

Notable line

“UK traders are now able to trade with Mexico under the terms of the CPTPP for the first time.”

Key Quotes

“From today, 22 June 2026, the terms of the UK's accession to the CPTPP have entered into force with Mexico.”
— Sir Chris Bryant MP · Announcement of CPTPP implementation with Mexico
“… chocolate producers will benefit from zero tariffs when exporting to Mexico, compared with tariffs of up to around 25% at present.”
— Sir Chris Bryant MP · Specific tariff benefits for British exporters
“CPTPP includes more comprehensive commitments for UK businesspersons, including the ability for dependants to accompany intra-corporate transferees”
— Sir Chris Bryant MP · Enhanced business travel provisions versus existing bilateral FTA
“It supports cross-border data flows, protects source code and cryptography, and prohibits unjustified data localisation requirements”
— Sir Chris Bryant MP · Digital trade protections in the agreement
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗