The National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam ratified the accession protocol of the UK and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on June 25.  

As a result, Vietnam has become one of the first 6 CPTPP members to ratify the domument.

The UK has also committed to open its market for Vietnamese goods at a higher level compared to the other CPTPP member countries and higher than its commitments in the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) in some key areas for Vietnam.

As a full member of the CPTPP, the United Kingdom will also recognize market economy status for Vietnam's manufacturing sector. 

The ratification of the UK accession protocol demonstrates Vietnam’s proactiveness and responsibility in its bilateral trade and investment relations with the UK, Chairman of the NA's External Relations Committee Vu Hai Ha stated. 

"The approval will affirm Vietnam's role and position in the region and the world; create new momentum for the country's socio-economic development, contribute to the completion of the legal system, and enhance the competitiveness of businesses", he emphasized.

The CPTPP member countries and the UK concluded negotiations in March 2023 and signed an agreement to make the UK a member of the 12-economy trade bloc in July 2023. The UK government signed an accession protocol to the CPTPP on 16 July 2023, and announced it’s ratification on  May 17, 2024.

Only six CPTPP economies, in addition to the UK, need to ratify by October for the deal to enter into force by the end of the year.