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 ¡ª 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.
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