The website quoted Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham as saying that Australia welcomes global partners to join the "high-quality" TPP. The CPTPP is open to new members if they can meet the agreement’s high standards and there is consensus among other members, he said.

Queensland Liberal MP Ted O'Brien, who is chairing a parliamentary inquiry into expanding TPP membership, said Minister Birmingham would welcome a phone call from the Chinese Trade Minister to discuss the idea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told the APEC Summit last Friday that China would consider joining the CPTPP. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told the summit to expand CPTPP membership.