VOA标准英语2008年-Trade Ministers Aim for Agreement as Doha Devel

The Head of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, says a successful outcome of the Doha Development Round will help blunt many of the economic threats in the world. Lamy made his remarks at the opening of a ministerial summit aimed at wrapping up world trade talks. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from WTO headquarters in Geneva.

About 30 trade ministers are in Geneva for what is seen as a make-or-break meeting. After seven years of negotiations², the ministers hope to conclude an agreement, which will make trade fairer and boost economic growth.
　
World Trade Organization director general Pascal Lamy opens session at trade organization headquarters in Geneva, 21 Jul 2008

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy says there has been enough foot-dragging. He says now it is time for action.

"The time has come to move from discussions to negotiations," Lamy said. "We have talked the talk. We now have to walk the walk to finish the round."

Lamy says the WTO's 153 member states are within reach of achieving an agreement. He says with patience and determination this can happen. He says he can think of no stronger spur for action than the threats facing the world economy.

He says the rising cost of food, the high energy prices and turbulence³ in the financial markets should be reason enough for governments to conclude a trade deal.

"There is widespread recognition that a balanced outcome of the Doha Round could in these circumstances provide a strong push to stimulate⁴ economic growth, " Lamy noted⁵, "providing better prospects⁶ for development and ensuring a stable and more predictable trading system."

Some economists⁷ say a Doha deal could boost the world economy by nearly $50 billion a year. But before that point can be reached, key issues remain to be resolved.

Developing countries are pushing for rich countries to make deep cuts in farm subsidies⁸ and tariffs⁹. The rich nations want the developing countries to cut tariffs on industrial goods and services.

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab says Washington is committed to the outcome of this round and will continue to be a leader. But, she adds, other countries also must be willing to contribute more.

"To have a meaningful development outcome to this round ... we know that we have to secure meaningful new market access in agriculture, in manufacturing and in services," Schwab said. "And, that is particularly true when it comes to the interests of the developing countries involved and of the rapidly emerging markets that are so key to this negotiation¹ in terms of their involvement and in terms of the contribution that they can make to a successful outcome."

But many analysts¹⁰ say they are not sure U.S. negotiators can deliver on a trade deal in the final months of the Bush administration. They note the so-called fast-track authority that allowed the White House to call for a straight up-or-down vote on trade pacts¹¹ expired more than a year ago.

 

1 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。

2 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

3 turbulence   

n.喧嚣，狂暴，骚乱，湍流

参考例句：

• The turbulence caused the plane to turn over.空气的激流导致飞机翻转。
• The world advances amidst turbulence.世界在动荡中前进。

4 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

7 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 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》

9 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。

10 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

11 pacts   

条约( pact的名词复数 )； 协定； 公约

参考例句：

• Vassals can no longer accept one-sided defensive pacts (!). 附庸国不会接受单方面的共同防御协定。
• Well, they are EU members now and have formed solidarity pacts with members such as Poland. 他们现在已经是欧盟的一部分了并且他们和欧盟成员诸如波兰等以签署了合作协议。