The UK's decision to join the CPTPP trade deal is being seen as a positive move.

The United Kingdom will formally apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership today.

The free trade agreement comprises of 11 countries including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Japan and Singapore.

Former trade negotiator Charles Finny told Tim Dower it could prompt another major country to step forward.

"It does increase the chances of a new US administration being interested."

He says the United Kingdom coming to the party will strengthen the agreement's credibility.

"We would have another G7 economy joining, that will inevitably increase interest in the agreement.

"Others will join, some of those others will be economies with which we don't have trade agreements."

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