Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026
Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to Costa Rica's Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, 7 May 2026
Summary
Minister of State for Trade Chris Bryant updates the Business and Trade Committee on Costa Rica's substantially concluded accession to the CPTPP. The letter details market access gains for UK businesses in cheese, beef, and pork; new temporary entry routes for UK professionals; and Costa Rica's first-ever commitments on state-owned enterprises. The accession demonstrates CPTPP's expansion momentum, with Uruguay, Indonesia, Philippines, and UAE also in prospect.
Key findings
- Costa Rica's CPTPP accession negotiations substantially concluded after eighteen months, following the Ninth Ministerial Commission Meeting in November 2025.
- UK secured additional market access for cheddar, other cheeses, beef, and pork, while protecting sensitive domestic agricultural sectors from increased competition.
- Costa Rica will offer new CPTPP-specific temporary entry routes for UK business persons including Contractual Service Suppliers, Independent Professionals, and Specialised Technicians.
- Costa Rica's accession marks their first-time international obligations on state-owned enterprises and provides UK financial services firms legal certainty for cross-border portfolio management and e-payment services.
- CPTPP Ministers signalled aspiration to commence accession processes with Indonesia, Philippines, and UAE this year, demonstrating the agreement's status as a 'living' agreement designed for expansion.
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Chris Bryant, Liam Byrne, UK Department for Business and Trade, Costa Rica, CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), Uruguay, Indonesia, Philippines, UAE
Notable line
“CPTPP is designed as a 'living' agreement, meaning it is designed to adapt to developments in the wider global economy.”
Key Quotes
“CPTPP is designed as a 'living' agreement, meaning it is designed to adapt to developments in the wider global economy.”
“The fact that the CPTPP is growing and has several other countries who want to join shows that there is a strong appetite around the world for free and fair trade based on a shared set of rules.”
“… the UK has secured additional market access for key products including cheddar (and other cheeses), beef, and pork.”
“Costa Rica's accession will mark the first time that they have taken international obligations on State-Owned Enterprises, helping to protect British businesses from market distortions.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗