Beijing has applied to join an Asia-Pacific trade pact once pushed by the U.S. as a way to isolate China and solidify American dominance in the region.
According to a statement late Thursday in Beijing, China submitted the formal application letter to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to New Zealand — the depositary nation for the agreement. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao had a follow-up call with his counterpart Damien O’Connor of New Zealand after the applications submission.
The application is certain to spark a reaction from Washington, where a number of lawmakers had already expressed concern about China’s efforts to join. However, there’s no sign the administration of President Joe Biden is interested in rejoining the deal.