THE UK Government has formally requested to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement. 

MP Liz Truss, secretary of state for international trade & president of the board of trade made the application yesterday.
The existing agreement is between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The Government hopes that joining the £9 trillion partnership will cut tariffs for UK industries including food and drink, and cars, and create new opportunities for modern industries like technologies and services.