The Rio Times · October 19, 2026

A British minister did not confirm whether London will block Argentina's accession to the CPTPP

On October 13, in the House of Commons, British Foreign Minister Uma Kumaran answered questions about the dispute over the Sea Lion oil project in the Malvinas Islands and about Argentina’s application to join the CPTPP. She said that the UK does not publicly comment on accession negotiations and does not speculate on future sanctions, though she stated that Argentina’s behavior raises doubts about its reliability as a partner. Conservative MP Wendy Morton asked whether London would use its position within the treaty to impose consequences, and Kit Malthouse inquired about Argentina’s accession to the OECD.

No veto was announced: the CPTPP requires consensus among all its members, so any member can block an application. Argentina submitted its application on June 2 and, according to its Foreign Ministry, exported $16,329 million to those countries in 2025. The Rio Times notes that this is a warning sign for investors, not a decision.

Via The Rio Times