Joe Biden 'more interested' in joining CPTPP than trade deal with Brexit Britain

JOE BIDEN would be "more interested" in joining the CPTPP than striking a deal with Brexit Britain, a trade expert has told Express.co.uk.

Against all odds, Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured a trade agreement with the EU after nine months of fraught negotiations. The deal was without a doubt a huge triumph for the Prime Minister, who two years ago won a thumping majority at the general election with the promise "to get Brexit done". Many are wondering whether he will now be able to pull a similar move with the US – as the former Mayor of London had put an agreement with Washington at the heart of his plans to revive Britain after Brexit.

The election of Democratic President Joe Biden undoubtedly complicated things for him, though.

As he outlined his vision for his first few days in the White House in January, the new President confirmed he would not be prioritising a deal with the UK.

Instead, Mr Biden said he will adopt an “America First” policy, similar to former President Donald Trump’s, fighting "like hell" to invest in US firms and employees.

Alan Winters, director of the Trade Policy Observatory at the University of Sussex, told Express.co.uk Britain might indeed have to brace itself for disappointment.

However, he argued that while the word "trade" has largely disappeared from American headlines of late, in sharp contrast to the days of Mr Trump's presidency, President Biden could decide to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), instead.

The CPTPP is a high-quality free trade agreement which binds together Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Mexico, Malaysia, Peru, Chile and Brunei.

It covers nearly 14 percent of the global economy.

Source: Express