VOA标准英语2013--EU Solar Panel Ruling Sparks Fears of Trade War with China

 

EU Solar Panel Ruling Sparks Fears of Trade War with China

New estimates show Chinese-made solar panels account for about 80 percent of the world’s market share.  But European manufacturers say that’s because Chinese manufacturers are not playing fair - selling their products far below cost - and driving the competition out of business.

Laurent Quittre, head of the Belgian solar panel company ISSOL, said the unfair trade practices are to blame for massive job losses at his company.

“We are today 55 people but, if we come back to fair rules, I think we can increase again to 200 people.  Clearly, there is a need of better rules so that everybody, China and Europe, can make fair business,” Quittre stated.

On Wednesday, the European Union said it is moving forward with plans to impose sharply higher duties on Chinese solar panels.  But facing resistance from some European member states, EU trade commissioner¹ Karel de Gucht offered to phase in the highter tariffs³.

“As of the 6th of June, a tariff² of 11.8 percent will be imposed on all Chinese solar panel imports.  Two months later, as of the 6th of August, the average tariff will be 47.6 percent. Overall, the duties will range from 37.2 percent to 67.9 percent at that stage,” said de Gucht.

It didn’t take long for a response from Beijing - which said it is investigating EU subsidies⁴ for European wines.  

The EU is one of China’s largest trading partners.  Chinese Foreign Ministry⁵ spokesman Hong Lei said he hopes the Europeans will reconsider.

“We hope the European Union will meet China at some common ground and will not take any measures towards protectionism," he noted⁶. "Otherwise, the EU will only harm others and gain no benefits.”

China imported more than 400 million liters of wine last year - more than two thirds of it from Europe, according to customs data.

Some European countries fear higher Chinese tariffs on European wines could affect other industries -- at a time when Europe desperately⁷ needs growth.

1 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

2 tariff   

n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表

参考例句：

• There is a very high tariff on jewelry.宝石类的关税率很高。
• The government is going to lower the tariff on importing cars.政府打算降低进口汽车的关税。

3 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。

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 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 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。

7 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。