China has applied to join an 11-nation Asia-Pacific free trade group in an effort to increase its influence over international policies.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao submitted an application to the trade minister of New Zealand as a representative of the Comprehensive and Progress Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Commerce Ministry announced on Thursday.

The CPTPP originally was the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a group promoted by then-president Barack Obama as part of Washincreased emphasis on relations with Asia. China was not included in the initial group and Obama’s successor, Donald Trump, pulled out in 2017.

President Joe Biden has not rejoined the group.

An official Chinese newspaper, Global Times, said the application cements Beijing’s “leadership in global trade” and leaves the United States “increasingly isolated.”

The CPTPP, which took effect in 2018, includes agreements on market access, movement of labor and government procurement.