Trade agreements: a reading list

This briefing paper is no longer being updated. It has been replaced by another Library briefing paper: Progress on UK free trade agreement negotiations (CBP-9314).

The UK Government has started negotiations for trade agreements with the US, Australia and New Zealand. It also intends to pursue accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

On 11 September 2020 the Government reached ‘an agreement in principle’ with Japan – an important step towards the conclusion of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.[1]

On 23 October 2020 the Government and Japan signed the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).[2]

This reading list brings together a selection of statements from the UK Government and the other parties to these negotiations. It also includes material from Select Committees, press articles and other commentary.

[1]    An agreement in principle is subject to the final transcription into texts, translation and legal review, before it can be officially signed.

[2]     UK/Japan: Agreement for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership [CS Japan No.1/2020]