日米、脱中国依存へ供給網強化　経済５分野で連携―国務省

　【ワシントン時事】米国務省は１６日、茂木敏充外相とブリンケン国務長官が東京都内で会談し、日米両国が経済安全保障に関わる５分野をめぐり、緊密に連携する方針で一致したと発表した。バイデン大統領が目指す安全なサプライチェーン（調達・供給網）の構築も含まれる。半導体やレアアース（希土類）などの重要品目を念頭に、中国への依存度を引き下げる狙いだ。
　国務省は「インド太平洋における日米経済協力の拡大」と題する文書を発表し、経済分野の連携は「重要な優先事項」と明記。重点分野として▽気候変動▽クリーンエネルギー▽サイバーセキュリティー▽サプライチェーン▽新型コロナウイルス―を掲げた。いずれも中国の影響力が大きい分野で、対抗する意味合いが込められた。（2021/03/17-08:37）

Japan and the United States have agreed to reinforce cooperation in five areas with regard to economic security, including the establishment of secure supply chains, the U.S. government said Tuesday.
   The agreement was reached at a meeting held in Tokyo the same day between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to the U.S. Department of State.
   The agreement is aimed at reducing the two countries' dependence on China for supplies of key items such as semiconductors and rare earths, in line with an executive order signed last month by U.S. President Joe Biden.
   In a document titled "the United States and Japan Expand Indo-Pacific Economic Cooperation," the department said deepening bilateral economic cooperation is "a key priority" for both governments.
   As priority areas for stronger cooperation, it cited climate change, clean energy, cybersecurity, supply chains and response to COVID-19, indicating the two countries' determination to counter China, which has strong influence over the five areas.