2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Pushes Trade to Combat Poverty

By Paula Wolfson
White House
15 June 2006

President Bush says reducing world poverty is a major objective¹ of U.S. foreign policy.  Mr. Bush says promoting trade and freedom is key to meeting that goal.

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President Bush says an effective strategy to fight global poverty starts with trade.

 

George Bush   
  

"Prosperity as a result of trade is more likely, 10 times more likely, to have a positive effect on somebody living in a poor society than just investment and grants," he said.

In an address to a group of American business leaders working to end global poverty, the president pointed² to two success stories: South Korea and India.   He said they have been able to pull millions out of poverty by opening their markets and promoting trade.

"I do not believe these are isolated³ examples.  A World Bank study shows that developing nations that lowered their trade barriers in the 1990s grew three times faster than those that did not," he added.

Mr. Bush said free trade is crucial, and that open markets wipe out the need for subsidies⁴.  He said the current round of world trade talks is at a critical moment, noting many countries have tough decisions to make.

"Now is the time for the world to come together, and make this world a free trading world, not only for the benefit of our own economies, but as an important part of the strategy to reduce poverty around the world," he explained.

The president said promoting freedom is another way to fight poverty.  He said nations that respect human dignity and the rule of law are more likely to create an economic climate that fosters⁵ prosperity.

"As more people gain their freedom, they will also gain the opportunity to build a better life.  That is a fact of life," he said.

Mr. Bush called for Congress to approve his full foreign aid request.   But he said as assistance increases, so must responsibility.  He said once again that aid must be tied to accountability, and urged other countries to join the United States in battling corruption⁶.

1 objective   

adj.客观的；n.目标，目的

参考例句：

• He tried to take an objective view of the situation.他试图对形势有个客观的看法。
• The cultivation in good taste is our main objective.培养高雅情趣是我们的主要目标。

2 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

3 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

4 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》

5 fosters   

v.培养，促进( foster的第三人称单数 )；收养，养育

参考例句：

• The lack of understanding fosters feelings of hatred between the two nations. 缺乏了解助长两国之间的仇意。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Too rigid parental control fosters rebellion in children. 父母管教过严会促使子女反抗。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。