China's application, by far the biggest economy, is next in line if they are dealt with in the order they were received, although that is not a given.
The free trade agreement has its roots in the U.S.-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership, developed in part to counter China's growing economic dominance.
I think that is completely wrong," Tim Groser, a former New Zealand trade minister and chief trade negotiator said.
For CPTPP members, China's application is not the only political dilemma.
Taiwan is also seeking to join the pact, in a move opposed by China that member trade negotiators remain unsure about.
Persons:
Chris Hipkins, Shigeyuki Goto, Damien O’Connor, Trade Kemi, Damien O'Connor, Donald Trump, Henry Gao, couldn't, Tim Groser, CPTPP, Graham Zebedee, Britain's, New Zealand Wang Xiaolong, Hopes, Wang Huiyao, Antony Blinken, Natalie Black, Lucy Craymer, Joe Cash, Jamie Freed
Organizations:
New Zealand, Economic, New, Trade, Export, State, Business, Malaysian, Beijing, Pacific, New Zealand's Trade, Pacific Partnership, Communist Party, Singapore Management University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, World Trade Organization, Australia, Center for, Political, Comprehensive Economic, U.S, Asia Pacific, Thomson
Locations:
British, Trade Kemi Badenoch, Taiwan, AUCKLAND, BEIJING, China, Pacific, Britain, Auckland, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Ecuador, U.S, Japan, Australia, Canada, Beijing, New Zealand, SOEs, Mexico, Center for China, Wellington, Asia