人の往来「経済再生へ不可欠」　ＴＰＰ米復帰に期待―菅首相ビデオ演説

　菅義偉首相は２０日午前、アジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）の関連行事「ＣＥＯ（最高経営責任者）との対話」にビデオメッセージを寄せた。新型コロナウイルス感染が再拡大する中、「経済の再生には国際的な人の往来の再開も不可欠だ」と述べ、水際対策を緩めていく方針を強調。「日本は防疫措置をしっかり講じながらグローバルな経済活動を再開していく」と表明した。
　首相は「アジア太平洋自由貿易圏の実現を目指す」と述べ、その手段の一つとして環太平洋連携協定（ＴＰＰ）の拡大に言及。米国の政権交代を契機としたＴＰＰ復帰に期待をにじませた。（2020/11/20-09:49）

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday stressed the government's policy of relaxing border control measures strengthened following the COVID-19 outbreak, despite the recent domestic resurgence of coronavirus infection.
   In a video message for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum's CEO Dialogues online event, Suga said, "The resumption of cross-border travel is essential for economic recovery."
   Japan will resume its economic activities globally while fully taking thorough infection prevention measures, he continued.
   Suga pledged to realize the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific including by expanding the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade bloc. He apparently hopes to bring back the United States to the TPP regime after the upcoming change of U.S. administration.
   Suga said that the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific region as proposed by Japan amid China's growing military and economic presence will provide a basis of regional prosperity.