Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday that he welcomes Britain's expression of interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation free trade agreement that will enter into force on Dec. 30.
In a meeting in Buenos Aires, Abe said the two countries are "the most powerful flag bearers for free trade," and that Japan wants to cooperate with Britain in strengthening the free trading system that is rules-based and open, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
May was quoted by the ministry as saying Britain hopes to launch discussions going forward about entry into the accord.