Consultation outcome

The UK government’s response to the public engagement period for the CPTPP Accession Working Group for Costa Rica

Updated 8 July 2025

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a modern and ambitious trade deal spanning 12 economies across Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

The UK was the first new member to join the group, which is designed to grow over time. On 28 November 2024, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ministers announced that the CPTPP Commission made a decision via consensus to establish an Accession Working Group with Costa Rica.

The UK government recently sought views from stakeholders on this process, and this document outlines the response. Part B of this document provides a factual summary of responses received where they relate to Costa Rica’s accession process.

Part A – The UK government’s approach to the Accession Working Group and expansion of CPTPP

The expansion of CPTPP creates the opportunity for the UK and other CPTPP Parties to continue widening trading links across the world as new members join, diversifying supply chains, bolstering economic resilience and contributing actively to a high standard of international trade.

Importantly, the benefits of the accession process go beyond just the benefits brought by any individual applicant, important though those may be. The expansion of CPTPP means more economies being brought into the orbit of high-standard, modern trading rules, which are well-aligned with the UK’s economic and strategic interests. This in turn makes the agreement, and its rules, attractive to other economies too, creating a virtuous cycle which is in the UK’s economic and strategic interests to support.^{[footnote 1]}

The UK government’s approach to CPTPP will remain aligned with our industrial and wider trade strategies and our mission of securing the highest sustained growth in the G7.

The Accession Working Group process

Peru is the chair of Costa Rica’s Accession Working Group (AWG) with Canada and New Zealand acting as vice-chairs.^{[footnote 2]} The CPTPP parties, including the UK, will consider Costa Rica’s compliance with the existing rules of the CPTPP before negotiating the terms and conditions of accession.

The UK is an active member of the AWG, contributing expert policy analysis to drive an effective and efficient process, as well as seeking to deliver outcomes in line with the UK’s interests. Only when there is consensus among the Parties will Costa Rica’s application process be complete.

As this is an accession process, the AWG is not about changing the text of the existing CPTPP agreement. Rather it is about assessing Costa Rica’s compliance with CPTPP’s high standards and ensuring that Costa Rica is acceding on the basis of sufficiently ambitious market access offers.

UK-Costa Rica current trade

The UK has an existing trade agreement with Costa Rica under the UK-Central America Association Agreement. Costa Rica is the UK’s 86th largest trading partner, accounting for 0.1% of total UK trade in 2024. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Costa Rica was £1.1 billion in 2024. UK exports to Costa Rica were £166 million in 2024. UK imports from Costa Rica were around £956 million over the same period.^{[footnote 3]}

Further details of the trading relationship between the UK and Costa Rica can be found in Section 3 of the Information Note on Costa Rica’s CPTPP Accession Working Group.

Compliance

Through the accession process the UK will assess Costa Rica’s compliance with the high standards of the CPTPP agreement, including ensuring that Costa Rica adheres to the terms of the UK’s accession.

The AWG expert groups will facilitate technical discussions with Costa Rica regarding its compliance with CPTPP obligations, with the UK playing an important and active role in this process. We will rigorously examine Costa Rica’s ability to comply, including Costa Rica’s commitment to make any necessary changes to its domestic laws and regulations required to comply with its CPTPP obligations. Groups will also work on institutional issues and draft the relevant documentation as required.

The UK or Costa Rica may also seek side letters – for example, the UK will require a side letter on Patent Grace Periods, as we have in place with all other CPTPP Parties. The UK will appropriately consider any additional side letters with Costa Rica that are aligned with UK interests.

Market access

Securing additional market access into Costa Rica could provide important export opportunities for UK traders. The UK will push for the best market access provisions possible that build on the current bilateral trade agreement, including on goods, services, investment and government procurement. This market access would benefit all CPTPP Parties; enhancing the potential for supply chains and trade flows between CPTPP markets as well as bilateral trade between the UK and Costa Rica.

Future accessions

Through the AWG the UK will work with the Chair to ensure high standards of governance and set a strong precedent for future CPTPP accession processes with other economies.

Stakeholder engagement

Feedback shared as part of the public engagement period has been carefully taken into account to inform the UK’s negotiating position. A factual summary of the public engagement period and responses received relevant to Costa Rica’s accession process are outlined in Part B of this report.

Part B – CPTPP: Period of public engagement for Costa Rica’s potential accession, factual summary of responses 2024 to 2025

Objectives

The objective of the public engagement period was to understand stakeholders’ views on how Costa Rica conforms to the CPTPP Agreement and the market access opportunities available from an enhanced trading relationship.

Questions posed

During the public engagement period the UK government sought public views on Costa Rica’s potential accession to CPTPP, through these questions:

1. What issues would you like us to consider when engaging in discussions on whether Costa Rica should join CPTPP and the terms on which they should join?
2. Based on your selections in the previous question, please provide further detail on why you think the UK government should consider these issues when engaging in discussions on Costa Rica’s application to join the CPTPP?

Respondents were also permitted to upload their own evidence instead of completing the questionnaire.

The overview of responses in this factual summary of responses reflects the answers to these questions and the relevant comments provided as part of the uploaded evidence. Unless indicated, the details in the summary represent a single comment on that topic.

The public engagement period

The UK’s public engagement period ran from 29 November 2024 to 24 January 2025. During that period, 28 responses were received.

The responses received were from businesses, trade bodies, international stakeholders, as well as public sector organisations and individuals.

Chart 1: Responses by type

Type of responder	Number of responses
Business	11
Business association	6
Individual	3
Non-governmental organisation	6
International stakeholders	2

Table note: responses were self-assigned

Summary of responses

This section summarises the detailed responses by theme and collates the overall responses according to chapter.

Chart 2 displays the responses to question 1. Where respondents did not click the check boxes associated with a specific CPTPP chapter these have been added to the graph based on analysis of their uploaded, emailed or text submissions, providing the total number of responses received relating to that chapter. To complete the questionnaire, respondents did not have to assign a view for all chapters and this is why total responses in this section of the factual summary of results do not equate to 28.

Chart 2: Number of requests to consider specific chapters of the CPTPP agreement during negotiations with Costa Rica

CPTPP chapter	Number of requests
Initial provisions and general definitions	3
Goods	20
Rules of origin	4
Textiles	3
Customs	10
Trade remedies	3
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures	7
Technical barriers to trade	15
Investment	12
Services	7
Financial services	4
Temporary entry	4
Telecomms	4
E-commerce	7
Procurement	1
Co-operation	3
SOE and competition policy	2
Intellectual property	4
Labour	5
Environment	6
Co-operation and capacity building	6
Competitiveness	9
Development	10
Small-medium enterprise	8
Regulatory coherence	4
Transparency and anti-corruption	3
Admin	1
Disputes	1
Exceptions and general provisions	2
Final	0

Table 1: Number of respondents providing comments per topic

Topic	Number of respondents
Initial provisions	0
Goods, agriculture and food and drink	11
Rules of origin and international supply chains	4
Textiles	0
Customs	8
Trade remedies	2
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)	5
Technical barriers to trade (TBT)	5
Investment	6
Services	1
Financial services	2
Temporary entry of business persons	1
Telecommunications	0
Technology, digital and e-commerce	4
Procurement	0
Competition policy	0
State owned enterprises	0
Intellectual property	3
Labour	2
Environment	5
Co-operation and capacity building	2
Competitiveness	1
Development	1
Small and medium-sized businesses	4
Regulatory coherence	2
Transparency and anti-corruption	2
Administrative and institutional provisions	0
Dispute settlement	0
Exceptions and general provisions	0
Final provisions	0
Gender	1
Implementation and utilisation of the agreement	5
Specific opinions on Costa Rica as an accession candidate	6

Detailed responses

This section summarises the detailed responses by theme.

These views do not reflect those of the UK government or any future actions that will be taken. They reflect the views and opinions of the respondents and have not been fact checked by the UK government.

Furthermore, this factual summary only includes views that were collected as part of this public engagement period.

Implementation and utilisation of the agreement

Four respondents highlighted the significant opportunities for UK exporters through CPTPP in general. Sectors mentioned were manufacturing, advanced infrastructure, renewable energy, medical devices, MedTech, dairy, meat and spirits.

One respondent mentioned the popularity of Costa Rican products to UK importers. They also suggested that building export capacity could create employment in Central America.

Goods, agriculture and food and drink

Two respondents referred to national treatment. Key sectors mentioned were manufacturing, agribusiness and services. One respondent asked that the Accession Working Group advocates for robust adherence to CPTPP commitments, including the national treatment obligation under the World Trade Organization (WTO), to ensure a level playing field for all members. Another respondent stated that Costa Rica has a long-standing commitment to non-discrimination between domestic and imported goods and services, aligning with the CPTPP principles of national treatment. Thus in their view, there are no undue barriers or disadvantages for British exporters and investors in Costa Rica.

One respondent suggested that Costa Rica’s accession could lead to the elimination of up to 98% of tariffs on goods. They noted that this would benefit key export sectors in Costa Rica, such as agricultural products, medical technology, industrial goods and light manufacturing.

Three respondents highlighted that the UK must take into account preference erosion on agricultural exports from developing countries to the UK when negotiating with Costa Rica. With one respondent further adding that no additional favourable conditions should be granted to Costa Rican exports compared to those of others and that new analysis should be undertaken on the potential preference erosion impacts of Costa Rica’s accession to ensure they are mitigated.

Two respondents asked the UK government to maintain the current level of protection for sensitive sectors within the UK-Central America Agreement, noting the preferential access granted to Costa Rica for beef and sugar through that agreement. They also called for Costa Rica’s accession to CPTPP to not incorporate any expansion of existing preferential market access for sensitive goods already granted by the UK to CPTPP trading partners.

Two respondents highlighted that increased access to Costa Rican goods, including agricultural products like pineapples and bananas, could align with consumer demand and diversify the UK’s supply chain. 

One respondent said that in their view, trade for UK agricultural exports to Costa Rica is already liberalised.

One respondent highlighted the opportunity for British pork exporters to Costa Rica, where there is demand, but noted barriers to trade, including high tariffs on pig meat.

Similarly, two respondents highlighted the opportunity for UK dairy exporters to Costa Rica, if tariffs could be reduced through CPTPP negotiations. 

One respondent called for the UK government, through CPTPP negotiations, to resolve the discriminatory excise tax regime that disproportionately impacts imported spirits into Costa Rica.

One respondent stated that Costa Rica’s rates of excise tax on imported spirits creates significant economic incentives for illicit trade.

One respondent stated that with the potential future expansion of CPTPP, ensuring a fair tax system and measures that do not discriminate against local and imported spirits will be important for transparency and fairness.

International supply chains and rules of origin

Two respondents highlighted how CPTPP facilitates smoother and more resilient global supply chains, allowing UK companies to further integrate into the growing markets of the Americas.

Two respondents referred to a hub model. One respondent noted how CPTPP’s focus on modern trade practices will strengthen the UK’s position as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation. Another respondent suggested that CPTPP may encourage UK exporters to use Costa Rica as a regional hub for trade expansion and as a strategic bridge between North and South America; widening the UK’s reach in Latin America.

Two respondents highlighted the benefit to global supply chains. Both respondents believed that Costa Rica’s accession could promote diversification of goods and services exports for both the UK and for Costa Rica.

One respondent stated how clear rules of origin could make Costa Rican exports more competitive in the UK; encouraging integration into regional value chains. 

One respondent suggested simplifying certifications to avoid bureaucratic barriers.

Customs

Six respondents emphasised the importance of smooth trade facilitation processes between the UK and Costa Rica.

One respondent called for the UK to collaborate with the Costa Rican authorities through CPTPP to support capacity building in trade facilitation, to enhance logistics efficiency, and to reduce trade costs and barriers for UK exporters.

One respondent requested that customs procedures resulting from CPTPP negotiations should not create administrative or cost disadvantages for external exporters to CPTPP countries.

One respondent noted that Costa Rican domestic producers pay a monthly excise tax, while importers must pay the excise tax before imports can be released from customs.

Trade remedies

One respondent encouraged the UK government to assess Costa Rica’s legal framework to ensure that British companies have access to fair and transparent defence mechanisms in the event of trade disputes, while highlighting that Costa Rica already has a robust legal framework to address unfair trading practices such as dumping and subsidies.

Another respondent noted that in their view there are sufficient commercial dispute resolution mechanisms in place to support Costa Rica’s integration into the CPTPP. They suggested that further discussions could focus on ensuring that the practical implementation of these legal frameworks aligns with the CPTPP’s objectives and expectations for dispute resolution.

Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)

One respondent was opposed to granting market access concessions on sensitive goods which do not adhere to UK SPS production standards.

One respondent stressed the importance of the UK maintaining strict import restrictions on imports of diseased animals, along with highlighting an opportunity for greater regulatory cooperation between UK and Costa Rica.

One respondent highlighted the importance of international standards, and that accession could provide opportunity for greater trade between UK and Costa Rica.

One respondent emphasised high UK SPS standards, and that UK businesses may need support registering with Costa Rican authorities to export.

One respondent highlighted that harmonisation of SPS measures must prioritise non-discrimination and international standards.

Technical barriers to trade (TBT)

Two respondents emphasised the importance of ensuring that Costa Rican standards are consistent with international practices, noting that they may need to be adapted to meet CPTPP’s high standards. One respondent noted that Costa Rica harmonised technical standards for the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement.

One respondent asked for UK standards to be accepted with equivalency for certain products to reduce barriers to entry in Costa Rica, and for this to be extended to include European organic standards.

One respondent highlighted concerns about the adoption of specific standards impacting the export of agricultural and industrial products. They were of the view that this could create obstacles for products from other countries, if regulations were not harmonised.

One respondent highlighted the importance of considering non-tariff barriers in sectors such as healthcare for trade between CPTPP markets.

Investment

Two respondents suggested that CPTPP’s provisions on investment protection could bolster investor confidence and create new opportunities for UK businesses to enter or expand their presence in Costa Rica. One respondent said that provisions on investment protections could particularly do this through bolstering investor confidence.

Two respondents supported Costa Rica’s integration to the CPTPP because the agreement includes standard provisions on Investor-State Disputes Settlements (ISDS). One of these respondents noted that application of CPTPP’s ISDS provisions would address their concerns.

Two respondents however noted that Costa Rica’s recent reform of its arbitration law also provides an improved framework for commercial dispute resolution. 

One respondent stated that Costa Rica is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, and if they joined CPTPP then British investors would also have access to these opportunities. Specific areas of note were technology and free trade zones. They however noted that clear and predictable frameworks are required to protect investors’ interests. 

One respondent expressed concerns on ISDS and called for the UK government to work with partner countries to remove CPTPP’s ISDS provisions.

Services

One respondent suggested that the UK should ensure that Costa Rican commitments facilitate cross-border trade in services and remove regulatory barriers.

Financial services

One respondent said that Costa Rica’s financial system is efficiently regulated but added that the UK must ensure that British banks and insurers can operate on a level playing field. 

One respondent said that the accession of Costa Rica to the CPTPP could enable the provision of more insurance products and services to the Costa Rican market. The respondent would like to see Costa Rica liberalise its insurance markets and commit in a trade agreement to allow both cross-border reinsurance and cross-border insurance for large commercial risks.

Temporary entry of business persons

One respondent asked that the UK ensure that Costa Rica’s commitments facilitate the temporary mobility of business persons.

Technology, digital and e-commerce

Two respondents were of the view that Costa Rica’s accession presents an opportunity to further enhance the digital economy across CPTPP members and strengthen the global digital trade framework. 

Two respondents suggested that Costa Rica’s active participation and leadership in digital trade highlights their readiness to join CPTPP. They noted scope for further areas for collaboration in cloud services and artificial intelligence-driven applications

One respondent highlighted cross-border data flows and unjustified data location measures as areas to work on, noting that they believe CPTPP could do more on the latter.

One respondent encouraged the UK government to advocate for Costa Rica’s inclusion on terms that uphold the high standards of CPTPP while fostering collaboration and innovation across the digital economy.

One respondent requested that the UK prioritise clear rules on data protection, cross-border flow of information and removing barriers to digital trade with Costa Rica.

One respondent believed that ensuring fair competition in the telecoms sector is essential to attract British investment and foster connectivity in digital trade.

Intellectual property

Two respondents welcomed Costa Rica’s proposed accession as an opportunity to ensure adequate protection of intellectual property rights including patents and trademarks, especially in sectors such as medicines and technology.

One respondent suggested that Costa Rica’s active participation in the WTO highlights its readiness to embrace CPTPP in areas such as intellectual property protections.

Labour

One respondent shared concerns about labour standards in Costa Rica, related to health and safety, anti-union practices, wages, working conditions and treatment of migrant workers, particularly for plantation workers. This respondent would like to see significant improvements in Costa Rica’s labour rights provisions as a pre-condition of their accession to CPTPP.

Another respondent stated that Costa Rica is aligned with CPTPP labour standards.

Environment

Three respondents encouraged the UK government to consider how CPTPP can promote sustainability, sustainable business practices and strengthen environmental provisions more widely. One respondent noted that the UK and Costa Rica could work together on sustainable development.

One respondent highlighted that CPTPP membership could support Costa Rica’s ambitions on decarbonisation by facilitating access to green technologies and investments, and that UK expertise in clean energy could play a key role in this.

One respondent stated that CPTPP lacks strong environmental protections. The respondent called for the UK to use its CPTPP membership to press for commitments from Costa Rica on reforming certain environmental issues, particularly agricultural practices regarding chemical pollution, contamination and plastic waste.

One respondent highlighted that Costa Rica will have to adapt its policies to meet the agreement’s high standards on the environment. However, the same respondent noted that Costa Rica’s values and policies on sustainability are aligned with CPTPP provisions.

One respondent stated that Costa Rica can leverage cooperation within the CPTPP to address global challenges, such as climate change and sustainability. They noted that Costa Rica is already a leader in these areas.

Co-operation and capacity building

One respondent called for the UK government to use CPTPP as an opportunity to encourage non-CPTPP members to uphold meaningful cooperation and high standards.

One respondent called on the UK government to support capacity building in Trade Facilitation and to collaborate with Costa Rican authorities to enhance logistics efficiency.

Competitiveness

One respondent stated that Costa Rica’s accession will improve the competitiveness of its services sector, noting that CPTPP includes commitments in areas such as digital commerce, intellectual property and financial services – prioritising sectors where Costa Rica has developed significant capabilities, such as outsourcing and technological services. The same respondent stated that local companies will need to adapt to increased international competition, which could present initial challenges for some sectors. However, in the long term, the respondent was of the view that this exposure to larger, more competitive markets could boost innovation and productivity in the Costa Rican economy, particularly SMEs.

Development

One respondent expressed their view that Costa Rica benefits from initiatives that promote sustainable development and the reduction of inequalities and called for the UK to ensure that these commitments are honoured so that CPTPP remains inclusive.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)

Four respondents highlight the importance of ensuring CPTPP includes provisions that facilitate the access and competitiveness of small companies and producers to international markets. With one respondent stating that Costa Rica’s accession could present significant opportunities for Costa Rican SMEs, including opening new markets.

One respondent highlighted their view that Costa Rica will have to adapt its policies to meet the agreement’s high standards in areas such as support for small businesses. They also noted that local companies, including small businesses, would need to adapt to increased international competition, which could present initial challenges for some sectors.

Regulatory coherence

One respondent indicated that the CPTPP’s provisions on regulatory coherence will bolster investor confidence and create new opportunities for UK businesses to enter or expand their presence in Costa Rica.

One respondent called for better and simplified regulatory practices between the UK and Costa Rica through CPTPP, including the promotion of transparency, particularly for health products in areas such as the alignment of regulations.

Transparency and anti-corruption

One respondent called for Costa Rica to strengthen their efforts against corruption and money laundering before the country becomes a CPTPP member.

Another respondent highlighted that Costa Rica will have to adapt its policies and regulations to meet the agreement’s high standards in areas such as anti-corruption efforts.

Gender

One respondent stated that Costa Rica will have to adapt its policies to meet the agreement’s high standards on gender inclusion.

Specific opinions on Costa Rica as an accession candidate

Five respondents explicitly supported Costa Rica’s accession application. One respondent noted that there is an opportunity to expand UK-Costa Rica trade beyond the existing UK-Central America Association Agreement.

One respondent had no objection to Costa Rica’s accession to CPTPP as long as it meets the terms established for others.

Next steps

Responses received during this public engagement period have informed, and will continue to inform, the UK government’s engagement with Costa Rica and CPTPP members on the potential accession of Costa Rica to CPTPP.

Other routes available to provide feedback about, interest in, and experience with CPTPP are:

• report a trade barrier
• share your specific experience and insight with the export support team

1. Information Note on Costa Rica’s CPTPP Accession Working Group (PDF, 1.83MB), 29 November 2024. ↩

2. Perú liderará proceso de adhesión de Costa Rica al CPTPP, 5 December 2024. ↩

3. Office for National Statistics, UK total trade: all countries seasonally adjusted data, April 2025. ↩