VOA标准英语2012--China's Gasoline Prices Surpass Those in US

China's Gasoline Prices Surpass Those in US

Record oil profits is an election year issue in the United States.

"Every time gas goes up by a penny, these companies usually profit another $200 million in quarterly profits," said President Barack Obama.

But cash-strapped Americans are just looking for relief.

"I don't know what it was last time, but I don't remember it being $4 [per gallon]," said one man.

Americans are not the only ones complaining. Rising fuel prices are starting to hurt Chinese motorists. Beijing has raised gasoline prices twice in less than two months in a bid to curb¹ the use of fossil fuels. And now Chinese consumers are paying more than Americans. Chinese truck driver Ding Shubiao said transportation companies are especially vulnerable.

"Our team has dozens of trucks. If one liter costs an extra half a yuan and each truck takes over 400 liters of diesel², then we lose 200 or 300 yuan for each vehicle," he said.

Asian Development Bank economist³ Zhuang Jian said the higher fuel costs are making Chinese companies less competitive.

"If the price of oil goes very high, it will have an effect on various industries, and ultimately will slow their speed of growth," said Zhuang.

Energy consumption is declining in the United States, but it is rising in developing markets like China and India. Higher demand means higher prices, but oil analyst⁴ Simon Wardell said uncertainty⁵ in oil-producing nations, such as Iran, is adding a premium⁶ to world prices.

"It would only take a disruption from Iran, the amount they export, roughly two million barrels a day exported from Iran. If that goes off the market, then yes we really do have some issues with trying to meet that supply," said Wardell.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, says it is prepared to increase production as needed. Without any relief soon, Wardell said, rising prices will choke economic growth, not just in China and the U.S., but around the world. 

"The global economy is still recovering and these sorts of prices knock that back a bit," said Wardell.

But oil prices may be leveling off. Crude oil futures⁷ dipped to six week lows on Friday on signs the U.S. and Europe are close to releasing emergency oil reserves to put a brake on rising prices. 

1 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

2 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

3 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

4 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

5 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。

6 premium   

n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的

参考例句：

• You have to pay a premium for express delivery.寄快递你得付额外费用。
• Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.在水库被污染之后，清水便因稀而贵了。

7 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。