日英貿易協定、来年１月発効へ　国会で承認、ビジネスの混乱回避

　日本と英国の関税撤廃や貿易ルールなどを定めた経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）が４日の参院本会議で承認された。日本と欧州連合（ＥＵ）のＥＰＡをおおむね踏襲。英国とＥＵの貿易交渉の先行きは見通せないが、日英間のビジネス上の混乱はひとまず回避される。英議会でも審議が進んでおり、年内に承認される見通し。協定は来年１月１日に発効する予定だ。（2020/12/04-16:24）

The Diet, Japan's parliament, approved the Japan-Britain economic partnership agreement at a House of Councillors plenary meeting on Friday, paving the way for it to take effect at the beginning of January.
   With the British Parliament also expected to ratify the bilateral trade pact this month, the two countries are seen avoiding confusion for businesses after the transition period following Britain's exit from the European Union early this year expires at the end of this month.
   Japan and Britain started trade talks in June and signed the pact in October.
   Meanwhile, there remain uncertainties over trade negotiations between Britain and the EU.
   Under the Japan-Britain trade pact, which is largely based on the existing Japan-EU trade agreement, Britain will reduce its tariff on Japanese automobiles in stages from the current 7.5 pct to zero in February 2026, while immediately abolishing the tariffs on 92 pct of automotive parts.