USTR: China’s ‘economic coercion’ likely to weigh on CPTPP members

Members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership likely will take into account China’s “non-market” trade practices when deciding whether to allow Beijing to join the agreement, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said on Friday. China on Thursday announced it had formally applied to join CPTPP by sending a letter to the depositary for the agreement, New Zealand. China’s chances of accession are thought by many analysts to be slim, considering entry requires a consensus among...