英、ＴＰＰ参加「近く申請」　発足メンバー以外で初

　【ロンドン時事】英国のトラス国際貿易相は２０日のオンライン講演で、環太平洋連携協定（ＴＰＰ）をめぐり、「近くこの自由貿易圏への参加を正式に申請する」と表明した。発足メンバー以外の国による参加申請は英国が初となる見通しで、日本が主導したＴＰＰの拡大機運が強まりそうだ。（2021/01/20-21:43）

Britain will shortly submit a formal request to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact, British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said Wednesday.
   In a speech delivered online, Truss also said, "We...are delighted that Japan is ready to welcome the U.K. into the fold, alongside other vibrant members such as Chile and New Zealand."
   This year, Japan holds the presidency of the TPP Commission, the supreme decision-making body of the free trade framework.
   Britain is expected to be the first country other than the inaugural members to apply for joining the TPP. China, South Korea and Thailand have also expressed their interest in becoming TPP members.
   The TPP's "modern standards would play to the U.K.'s strengths as a global hub for services and technology trade," Truss said.