London: The United Kingdom would be welcome to join the resuscitated Trans-Pacific partnership after Brexit but Australia would pursue a bilateral trade agreement to try and lock it in, according to Trade Minister Steve Ciobo.

Mr Ciobo's comments came after the 11 countries remaining in the bloc hailed the survival of the rebadged CPTPP, despite Donald Trump withdrawing the United States from it last year. The agreement, still to be made public, is due to be signed in March in Chile. It is likely to be examined by a Senate inquiry, before and if it is ratified by the parliament.

Trade minister Steven Ciobo. Credit:David Paul Morris

Mr Ciobo told Sky News that the UK's interest in joining the CPTPP showed it was a high-quality trade agreement.

"Other countries like the UK who aren't even in the Pacific would like to look at joining down the track," Mr Ciobo told host Sky News.