Britain to apply to join Asia-Pacific free trade bloc

BRITAIN said it is to apply to join a massive 11-nation free-trade bloc of Asia-Pacific countries this week, not long after quitting the European Union’s single market.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will formally request tomorrow for Britain to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a market representing half a billion people and roughly 13.5% of the global economy.