Bernd Lange, chair of the EU’s Trade Committee and a member of the SPD, has called on the European Union to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). “In substance nothing will change for us” he told “Politico”, noting that the EU already has agreements with many CPTPP members. “But it signals that we want to achieve stability” he added.
Lange said that the signal was also aimed at Beijing. “It could create stability against China’s influence” he explained.
Although EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) announced in June that the EU should pursue a closer relationship with the CPTPP, progress has been limited. “There are sporadic conversations, but no concrete mandate or significant activity” Lange observed. “So far it’s not a top priority”. He noted that Ottawa is showing greater enthusiasm. “The Canadians are now trying to forge an alliance with us and the CPTPP countries” he said.
Lange plans to bring the issue to the agenda of the upcoming European Union Trade Ministers’ meeting. “I will push for this again; something has to happen” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a huge, protracted project, but it has to be addressed”.
