Call for input – the future of the UK-Japan trade relationship

The UK is currently party to the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which entered into force in February 2019. The UK and Japan have agreed to use this EPA as the basis for a future UK-Japan free trade agreement (FTA), enhanced in areas of mutual interest. This means there is the possibility of additionality to that existing agreement reflecting the ambition of both sides.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is now seeking input from members of the public, businesses, and any other interested parties to inform DIT of specific areas where new and additional provisions should be made.

We consulted on the possibility of the UK seeking accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which Japan is a member. We published a summary of responses to that consultation in July 2019. This will also inform our approach, where relevant, to any additions we will seek to make to the EPA as part of our future UK-Japan FTA.