VOA慢速英语：中美贸易局势剑拔弩张
燕山大学 刘立军 编写
○ TRANSCRIPT
Tensions between the United States and China are increasing over trade issues.
On Wednesday, China announced plans to increase taxes on $50 billion of U.S. goods. The Chinese measures would increase tariffs by 25 percent on 106 products, such as soybeans, airplanes and cars. The Associated Press said the list includes the biggest U.S. exports to China.
China's announcement answers U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to increase tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. The U.S. list, released Tuesday, strikes at China's high-technology industries.
Chinese officials did not say when the tariff increase on U.S. imports would take effect. They say the timing will depend on what the Trump administration does.
On the U.S. side, the tensions between the two countries is tied to Trump's promise to reduce a trade deficit with China. Last year, the deficit was more than $375 billion.
On the Chinese side, the ruling Communist Party is trying to develop the country's economy, especially high-tech companies. But foreign business people say Chinese rules limit competition and sometimes require them to help Chinese businesses improve their products.
Chinese officials say their government does not discriminate against foreign businesses. And the deputy commerce minister told reporters that China had not planned to increase taxes on U.S. imports. It must be said, we have been forced into taking this action, he said.
Many officials in both countries are urging the two sides to negotiate.
However, a small but active group of people in China are already calling for a boycott of U.S. products.
Internet commenters have noted the power of Chinese citizens. Last year, Chinese consumers informally boycotted South Korean goods after South Korea accepted a U.S.-made anti-missile system. Their boycott was estimated to have reduced South Korea's economic growth last year by 0.4 percentage points.
As yet, observers do not see any signs of an organized campaign in China to reject U.S. goods. But they noted the danger of creating a negative image around American products.
Wine expert Jim Boyce lives in Beijing and writes a blog called Grape wall of China. He said additional taxes on wine could have an effect, but that cost was not the only issue of concern.
Are we going to see people in China worried about drinking American wine because of politics? He said. That's the bigger problem.
I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.
○ VOCABULARY
1. tariff n. a tax that is paid on goods coming into or going out of a country 关税
2. trade deficit n. a situation in which the value of a country's imports is greater than the value of its exports 外贸逆差；贸易赤字
3. discriminate v. discriminate (against sb.) | discriminate (in favour of sb.) to treat one person or group worse / better than another in an unfair way 区别对待；歧视；偏袒。例如：
● practices that discriminate against women and in favour of men重男轻女的做法
● It is illegal to discriminate on grounds of race, sex or religion. 因种族、性别或宗教信仰而有所歧视是非法的。
4. boycott v. 联合抵制
○ QUESTIONS
Read the table. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks of the table with the words you hear.
新闻要素
WHAT?
Tensions between the United States and China are increasing over (1) ____________.
WHY?
● On Wednesday, China announced plans to increase taxes on $50 billion of U.S. goods. The Chinese measures would increase tariffs by 25 percent on 106 products, such as (2)_____________________________________. The Associated Press said the list includes the biggest U.S. exports to China.
● China's announcement answers U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to increase tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. The U.S. list, released Tuesday, strikes at China's (3) ______________________________________.
● Chinese officials did not say when the tariff increase on U.S. imports would (4) _____________________________. They say the timing will depend on what the Trump administration does.
● On the U.S. side, the tensions between the two countries is tied to Trump's promise to (5) _____________________________________ with China. Last year, the deficit was more than $375 billion.
● On the Chinese side, the ruling Communist Party is trying to develop the country's (6) _____________________, especially high-tech companies. But foreign business people say Chinese rules limit competition and sometimes require them to help Chinese businesses improve their products.
● Chinese officials say their government does not (7) _____________________ foreign businesses. And the deputy commerce minister told reporters that China had not planned to increase taxes on U.S. imports. It must be said, we have been forced into taking this action, he said.
HOW?
● Many officials in both countries are urging the two sides to (8) _____________.
●However, a small but active group of people in China are already calling for a (9) ______________________________ of U.S. products.
● Internet commenters have noted the power of Chinese citizens.
● As yet, observers do not see any signs of (10) __________________________ in China to reject U.S. goods. But they noted the danger of creating a negative image around American products.
○ KEY
新闻要素
WHAT?
Tensions between the United States and China are increasing over (1) trade issues.
WHY?
● On Wednesday, China announced plans to increase taxes on $50 billion of U.S. goods. The Chinese measures would increase tariffs by 25 percent on 106 products, such as (2) soybeans, airplanes and cars. The Associated Press said the list includes the biggest U.S. exports to China.
● China's announcement answers U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to increase tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. The U.S. list, released Tuesday, strikes at China's (3) high-technology industries.
● Chinese officials did not say when the tariff increase on U.S. imports would (4) take effect. They say the timing will depend on what the Trump administration does.
● On the U.S. side, the tensions between the two countries is tied to Trump's promise to (5) reduce a trade deficit with China. Last year, the deficit was more than $375 billion.
● On the Chinese side, the ruling Communist Party is trying to develop the country's (6) economy, especially high-tech companies. But foreign business people say Chinese rules limit competition and sometimes require them to help Chinese businesses improve their products.
● Chinese officials say their government does not (7) discriminate against foreign businesses. And the deputy commerce minister told reporters that China had not planned to increase taxes on U.S. imports. It must be said, we have been forced into taking this action, he said.
HOW?
● Many officials in both countries are urging the two sides to (8) negotiate.
● However, a small but active group of people in China are already calling for a (9) boycott of U.S. products.
● Internet commenters have noted the power of Chinese citizens.
● As yet, observers do not see any signs of (10) an organized campaign in China to reject U.S. goods. But they noted the danger of creating a negative image around American products.