The policy paper "EU Cooperation with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership" advocates for a significant expansion of cooperation with the bloc’s twelve member states. Together, the EU and CPTPP account for 37% of global trade—more than the US and China combined. This economic weight should be leveraged to strengthen rules-based global trade and provide businesses with greater planning security.

© DIHK / Werner Schuering

"International trade is increasingly dominated by power politics rather than common rules," said Volker Treier, Head of Foreign Trade at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). "This is precisely why there is a need for a strong coalition of economic partners that clearly commit to open markets as well as fair and robust trade regulations. The EU and the CPTPP countries can set benchmarks together."   

The DIHK, however, sees no reason for the EU to join the CPTPP. "Europe must continue to set its own impulses and benchmarks for international trade in the future. Adopting rules from others diminishes room for economic policy maneuvering. The EU should remain a rule-maker, not a rule-taker." 

Instead, the DIHK advocates for a strategic partnership with specific agreements on rules of origin, digital trade, critical raw materials, resilient supply chains, and economic security. This would help many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, by facilitating market access and reducing bureaucracy.

Economically, closer cooperation makes sense: German exports to CPTPP countries already total €161 billion, while imports amount to €123 billion. Combined, the bloc would represent Germany's most important export market and, after China, its second-largest import partner.

Treier: "Germany needs more reliable economic partners, especially in geopolitically uncertain times. The German government should now turn the initiated dialogue between the EU and CPTPP into a permanent strategic partnership. This would boost the competitiveness of our companies, increase the resilience of supply chains, and send a clear signal for open, rules-based trade."  

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