VOA标准英语2014--共和党人将改变贸易政策

Republican Surge Changes Trade Politics 共和党人将改变贸易政策

Some long-stalled trade agreements could move forward now that there is a new Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, but getting congressional approval for these deals may require some unusual political alliances.

Mitch McConnell, who is expected to be the next Senate majority leader, and other Republicans have fought proposals by President Barack Obama, a Democrat¹. 

But unlike many Democrats², Obama speaks in favor of trade agreements, opening the way for a deal with his Republican opponents.

“I think he is interested in moving forward," McConnell said. "I [told him to] send us trade agreements, [that] we are anxious to look at them.”

Trade supporters are trying to work out an agreement that would allow Congress to vote for or against trade deals reached by the Obama administration with other nations, but not allow Congress to try to change deals.

Controversial bill

The administration and congressional Republicans are focusing on a complex and controversial bill called the "Trade Promotion³ Authority," or TPA.

"My guess is you will get negotiations⁴ between the administration so they are ready to go with a TPA bill as soon as the Congress comes back," said trade expert Claude Barfield of the American Enterprise Institute.

Lori Wallach of Global Trade Watch said the Republican surge means certain Democrats who were working on compromises to win the votes needed to get TPA approved were pushed out of power. That could have the ironic⁵ effect of hurting progress on a Republican goal.

"I think the chance that there is a trade authority package that can get through the House is slightly diminished," Wallach said.

U.S. officials are working on a deal with a number of Pacific nations and a separate agreement with the European Union.

Focus of new agreements

Past trade deals cut tariffs⁶ to boost trade by making it cheaper. These new agreements are also supposed to harmonize different nations' rules governing health, safety and solving business disputes.  

Many U.S. unions say trade deals protect the profits of large multinational⁷ corporations, undemocratically change laws, and do too little to protect American jobs.

"We need to put citizens first, not ignore investment. We will not have economic development without [it], but not this kind of lopsided investment where citizens rights take years, if we ever address the issues," said Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America.

Obama and other supporters of trade deals say they boost the economy and help support jobs. He has signed agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama

1 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

2 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

4 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

5 ironic   

adj.讽刺的，有讽刺意味的，出乎意料的

参考例句：

• That is a summary and ironic end.那是一个具有概括性和讽刺意味的结局。
• People used to call me Mr Popularity at high school,but they were being ironic.人们中学时常把我称作“万人迷先生”，但他们是在挖苦我。

6 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。

7 multinational   

adj.多国的，多种国籍的；n.多国籍公司，跨国公司

参考例句：

• The firm was taken over by a multinational consulting firm.这家公司被一个跨国咨询公司收购。
• He analyzed the relationship between multinational corporations and under-developed countries.他分析了跨国公司和不发达国家之间的关系。