Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardInternational Relations, Global Summits, and Multilateral Organizations

Consider the following statements regarding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP):

1. The United Kingdom became the first non-founding member state and the first European country to formally accede to the agreement.
2. The trade bloc operates through a permanent Secretariat established in Singapore to manage tariff schedules and dispute settlement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 only
  3. C
    Both 1 and 2
  4. D
    Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

1 only
The first statement is factually accurate as the United Kingdom completed its accession process to become the 12th member of CPTPP, marking the first addition to the trade bloc since its inception. The second statement is false because CPTPP relies on a rotating chairmanship model among member countries rather than maintaining a permanent secretariat in Singapore or elsewhere.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding the expansion of CPTPP membership.
Statement 1 is correct. The United Kingdom formally signed the accession treaty to join CPTPP, making it the first non-founding member and first European nation to enter the bloc.
Verify recent multilateral accession events in free trade agreements.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding CPTPP administrative framework and headquarters.
Statement 2 is incorrect. CPTPP does not possess a permanent headquarters or centralized secretariat. Instead, administrative duties rotate among member nations chaired by the host country of the annual commission.
Differentiate multilateral forums with permanent secretariats from flexible free trade agreements that rely on rotating commission chairs.

Key Concept

CPTPP Institutional Structure and Accession Dynamics
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

International Relations, Global Summits, and Multilateral Organizations