两个国家商务部长就贸易关系的谈判

    一、英文篇：
    In this conversation, Henry Blumington and Nicolas Stratverry　are the trade ministers of two countries. They are discussing the　trade relationship between the countries.
    Henry：Welcome, Nicolas. It’s good to see you again.
    Nicolas：Good to see you too, Henry. Been a while, hasn’t it?
    Henry：Indeed it has. That’s a good indication of the generally solid trade relationship between our countries. There is one area of concern, though. I’m sure you know what that is.
    Nicolas：Yes, the balance of trade in the computer parts industry.
    Henry：Right. Your government’s high tariffs¹ give your companies an unfair competitive advantage. There’s been rumblings in our government about lodging² a complaint with the WTO. That’s why I called for this meeting, to see if we could resolve this without resorting to that measure.
    Nicolas：My government is already looking at gradually lowering the tariffs over the next 3 years. However, they want something in return. They think your government’s subsidies³ in the agricultural industry are too high. With our low GDP compared to yours, they feel that the capital flow to your country because of this hurts us more than the capital flow from computer parts hurts your country.
    Henry：Those subsidies were set up to help recover from a number of years of low yield, not to create an unfair advantage. Nevertheless, I see your point, and I’ll bring your request to their attention. I think we can work something out, since productivity has started to rise to normal levels again. I’ll let you know what they think.
    Nicolas：That would be appreciated. Well, sorry I have to run, but I must attend some last-minute meetings in New York before the U.N. conference starts. See you there tomorrow?
    Henry：Yes, you will. I’m flying in this afternoon. Until tomorrow, then.
    二、中文篇：
    在下面的一段对话中，两国的贸易部长Henry Blumington和Nicolas Stratverry正在讨论两国间的贸易关系。
    Henry：欢迎，Nicolas。很高兴再次见到你。
    Nicolas：我也很高兴见到你，Henry。很久没见了。
    Henry：确实是。这表明我们两国间的贸易关系大体还是不错的。不过，还是有一个方面值得我们的关注，我相信你知道是哪个方面。
    Nicolas:　是的。计算机零部件的进出口差额。
    Henry：是的。你们政府的高关税使你们国家的相关企业获得了不公平的竞争优势。在我国政府，很多人一直就是否要 向世界贸易组织申诉这一情况议论纷纷。这也是为什么我提出举行这次会面的原因，我想看看我们是否能不诉诸世贸组织来解决这个问题。
    Nicolas：我国政府早已考虑在未来三年中逐步降低关税。但是，我国政府也要求有一些回报。他们认为你们国家的农业补贴太高，由于我们的国内生产总值相对与你们的来说太低，所以我们觉得由于贵国农业补贴而造成的我国大量资本流入你们国家对我国造成的伤害远比因我国计算机零部件关税过高而导致你们国家资本流失对贵国造成的伤害大得多。
    Henry：那些补贴是为了帮助我们从连续几年农业低产的窘境中恢复过来，而不是为了获得不公平的优势。不过，我了解你的意思，我会向我国政府说明你们的想法。我想，既然我国生产力已开始恢复到正常水平上来，我们一定会想出解决的办法的。到时我会告知你的。
    Nicolas:　我们将很感激。抱歉，我必须告辞了，我必须在联合国大会开始之前赶去参加纽约举行的紧急会议。明天会在那儿见到你吗？
    Henry：　会的。今天下午我将坐飞机过去。明天见了。

1 tariffs   

关税制度； 关税( tariff的名词复数 )； 关税表； （旅馆或饭店等的）收费表； 量刑标准

参考例句：

• British industry was sheltered from foreign competition by protective tariffs. 保护性关税使英国工业免受国际竞争影响。
• The new tariffs have put a stranglehold on trade. 新的关税制对开展贸易极为不利。

2 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

3 subsidies   

n.补贴，津贴，补助金( subsidy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• European agriculture ministers failed to break the deadlock over farm subsidies. 欧洲各国农业部长在农业补贴问题上未能打破僵局。
• Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU's income. 农业补贴占去了欧盟收入的大约一半。 来自《简明英汉词典》