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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
New reports show that manufacturing slowed across much of the globe in August, fueling new fears of a worldwide economic downturn.
One survey Thursday showed that manufacturing in the United States, the world's biggest economy, advanced slightly last month, but at a slower pace than in July. Elsewhere, the story was much the same, or worse.
Manufacturing in the 17-nation European bloc1 that uses the euro currency contracted last month to its weakest point in two years. Britain's factory production dropped to its lowest level in 26 months. European economies are shrinking as governments reduce their spending in an effort to cut their deficits2 and avoid the need for more international financial bailouts like those already secured by Greece, Ireland and Portugal.
Manufacturing in China, with the second biggest global economy, remained near a 29-month low. An index of its exports, a bulwark3 of the Chinese economy, contracted for the first time since early 2009.
Factory production also dropped in South Korea, Taiwan and Australia.
Some financial analysts4 say that Asian economies may inevitably5 slow, because they are so dependent on selling their exports to Europe and the United States. As their economic fortunes wane6, there will be less demand for Asian products.
Already, some companies are feeling the effect. South Korea's LG Display says demand for its flat-screen televisions has dropped, while China's Angang Steel says its profits have dropped sharply with less demand from automakers for its steel products.
In the United States, the Institute of Supply Management said manufacturers are concerned about international economic developments and that customers have been reluctant to place new orders. While U.S. manufacturing has not contracted, its pace has now declined for six straight months.
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1
bloc
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n.集团;联盟 | |
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2
deficits
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n.不足额( deficit的名词复数 );赤字;亏空;亏损 | |
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3
bulwark
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n.堡垒,保障,防御 | |
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4
analysts
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分析家,化验员( analyst的名词复数 ) | |
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5
inevitably
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adv.不可避免地;必然发生地 | |
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6
wane
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n.衰微,亏缺,变弱;v.变小,亏缺,呈下弦 | |
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