VOA慢速英语2012--China Exports Fall to Two-Year Lows

China Exports Fall to Two-Year Lows

Sales of Chinese-made goods overseas have been one of the biggest drivers of China's phenomenal growth. But new data shows that export growth may already have peaked. Investment strategist Pu Yonghao at UBS Wealth Management said economic uncertainty¹ is reducing consumer demand around the world.
"Export of course depends on external environment. I would expect it to remain weak and slow down. But in terms of the domestic consumption or production numbers or inflation numbers, [it] should move towards a more positive side," said Pu.
Economists² says raising the value of China's currency could help boost domestic consumption, but it also could hurt exports by making Chinese goods more expensive.
Pu said weak export growth could bolster³ the argument for China's Central Bank to slow the revaluation of the yuan.
"This year, export number is [the export numbers are] going to be very challenging, I mean, particularly to [on] the Europe side. That's why I think Asian country probably is not going to be very keen to allow the currency appreciation,” said Pu.
In the United States, the push is on to boost exports. On Thursday, the largest business federation⁴ in the U.S. called on Congress to expand free trade agreements in emerging markets from Brazil to Indonesia.
"Ninety-five percent of the people we want to sell something to live outside the United States," said Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber⁵ of Commerce. "Let's get out there and convince more of these customers and consumers to buy American."
The message may be working. U.S. exports to China are at their highest level in more than a year. But new trade figures released Friday tell a different story. Despite a decline in imports of consumer goods, the Commerce Department says the U.S. trade gap expanded more than 10 percent in November as Americans paid more for crude oil and automobiles⁶.

1 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

2 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》

3 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

4 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

5 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

6 automobiles   

n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后，就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上，汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》