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Channel News Asia reported last Thursday that Singapore ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Originally known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the name was changed after the Trump Administration withdrew US support for the TPP after some members would not agree to US terms regarding pharmaceuticals and intellectual property protections.

Since the new CPTPP was created, only 3 nations have ratified the agreement (with Mexico and Japan as the only two countries to ratify the agreement. However, last Thursday, Singapore became the third after signing the CPTPP.

Terms of the CPTPP agreement concluded in January 23rd of this year and signed on March 8th. There are still 8 more countries that need to sign in order to ratify the treaty. Once all countries sign, the CPTPP will be in force 60 days later.