The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is asking for comments on how the UK can deepen its trade relationships with Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay.
In a consultation open until 14 September 2026 and available here, DBT explains that these are all potential members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
As a party to the CPTPP (see Access to Asia-Pacific markets could be worth trillions), the UK is considering the opportunities, priorities and considerations associated with deepening the UK’s trade relationships with these economies.
CPTPP accession represents the most likely route to deepening trade relationships with the majority of the countries mentioned, the DBT notes, but it is interested in views on other appropriate trade policy mechanisms, including bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs).
With regard to the four countries under review:
- The UAE is the UK’s 20th largest trading partner, accounting for 1.3% of total UK trade in 2025. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and the UAE was £25.0 billion in 2025.
- Indonesia is the UK’s 54th largest trading partner, accounting for 0.2% of total UK trade in 2025. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Indonesia was £4.0 billion in 2025.
- The Philippines is the UK’s 59th largest trading partner, also accounting for 0.2% of total UK trade in 2025. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and the Philippines was £3.2 billion in 2025.
- Uruguay is the UK’s 99th largest trading partner, accounting for less than 0.1% of total UK trade in 2025. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Uruguay was £719 million in 2025.
