Britain started talks in 2021 with the CPTPP - which counts Japan, Australia and New Zealand as members - regarding the pact as an important part of its post-Brexit trade plans.

Other members of the CPTPP are Canada, Vietnam, Singapore, Mexico, Peru, Brunei, Chile and Malaysia.

Britain would be the 12th nation to join the trade pact.

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Tom Hogue)