対中国で多国間連携重視　アジアや日米欧―米通商代表

　【ワシントン時事】米通商代表部（ＵＳＴＲ）のタイ代表は１２日、最大の競争相手と位置付ける中国に対抗するため、２０２２年は多国間連携を一段と強化すると表明した。バイデン米大統領が提唱している「インド太平洋の新たな経済枠組み」構想の具体化や、日米欧の通商協力を例に挙げた。シンクタンクのイベントで語った。
　ＵＳＴＲは昨年１月のバイデン政権発足後、中国の脅威に備える「経済安全保障」の観点から日本や欧州連合（ＥＵ）など同盟国との通商協力に注力した。今年はアジアを含むインド太平洋地域で経済圏構築を視野に入れている。タイ代表は「民主主義の価値観を共有するパートナーと共に具体的な成果を目指す」と意欲を示した。（2022/01/13-08:29）

The United States will further strengthen its multilateral cooperation, including with Japan and the European Union, this year in a bid to counter China, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Wednesday.
   At a virtual event hosted by a think tank, Tai cited the realization of a new Indo-Pacific economic framework proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden and the trade cooperation among Japan, the United States and the EU as specific platforms to promote multilateral partnerships.
   Since the launch of the Biden administration in January last year, the Office of the USTR has been promoting trade cooperation with Japan, the EU and other allies as part of efforts to ensure economic security to deal with threats from China.
   This year, the United States will aim to build an economic bloc in the Asia-Pacific region.
   Tai said that this U.S.-led initiative is similar to the purpose of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, which was launched last year with China in mind.