対日第２段階交渉「数カ月内に」　米通商代表が意向

　【ワシントン時事】米通商代表部（ＵＳＴＲ）のライトハイザー代表は１７日の議会証言で、１月に発効した日本との貿易協定に続き、サービスや投資を含む包括的な第２段階交渉を数カ月以内に始めたい意向を表明した。新型コロナウイルス感染拡大の影響で開始が遅れているものの、トランプ政権にとって優先課題だと指摘した。
　ライトハイザー氏は下院歳入委員会の公聴会で、対日第２段階交渉について「数カ月内に始めると思う」と語った。１月に発効した協定は農産品、工業製品関税のうち対立の小さい品目が中心。当初は発効後４カ月以内に第２段階の範囲を協議する段取りだった。日本は米国が日本車や部品に課している関税の撤廃を求める方向だ。（2020/06/18-07:45）

The United States aims to begin a second phase of its trade talks with Japan in a few months, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Wednesday.
   Although the new coronavirus crisis has caused a delay in the launch of the second phase comprehensive talks that would cover bilateral trade in services and investment, the negotiations are a priority for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Lighthizer told a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee.
   The Japan-U.S. trade pact that came into force in January mainly covers agricultural and industrial products, excluding those with major conflicts of interest. The two countries were initially to discuss the scope of their second phase talks within four months after the pact's effectuation.
   Japan plans to ask the United States to abolish tariffs imposed on Japanese vehicles and auto parts, sources familiar with the situation said.