Beijing may join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a hedge against growing US protectionism, according to anonymous sources. The sources said that China is likely to sign up to the trade deal in order to protect its own interests from American unilateralism, which has been on the rise since Trump took office. Beijing is in talks with 27 countries over free-trade agreements.
Beijing may join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a hedge against growing US protectionism, according to anonymous sources. Analysts said CPTPP, which was finalised in March after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the original Trans-Pacific Partnership, was "stronger on free trade" and would be another signal of Chinese efforts to reform and open up its economy. Beijing is in talks with 27 countries over free-trade agreements.