Amid Economic Gains - New Trouble on Horizon

 　　The U.S. Federal Reserve is staying the course on monetary¹ policy, taking no action and leaving interest rates at historically low levels.  This, despite a steady improvement in economic conditions in the U.S. and around the world.

　　Gasoline prices are on the rise, but it doesn't seem to be slowing down American consumers.  Retail sales rose in February at the fastest pace in five months - fueled by higher demand for automobiles².  Bloomberg TV's Susanne O'Halloran:

　　"Actually, it is a very good headline for the economy," she said. "It shows that consumers are more comfortable spending.  What was also interesting, as well, was [that] the January number was revised a little bit higher."

　　The steady recovery in the U.S. job market and a second bailout for Greece also helped to lift investor³ confidence, pushing stock prices higher on Wall Street for the fifth day in a row.

　　But even as fears of a Greek default fade into the background, German market analyst⁴ Robert Halver says investors⁵ are already looking ahead to the next potential worry for the eurozone.

　　"We've got a new problem child in Euro-land: Spain. Spain should do its homework, especially economic reforms. Spain has to deregulate its absolutely inflexible⁶ job market."

　　Spain missed its deficit⁷ target last year and is unlikely to reach it again this year. And with an economy four times bigger than Greece, experts say a potential bailout is not in the cards.

　　For the world's two biggest economies - a new trade war may be brewing⁸.

　　On Tuesday, President Obama said the U.S. has joined the European Union and Japan to challenge China's export restrictions⁹ on rare earth minerals that are crucial in the production of electronic devices.

　　"So our administration will bring this case against China today [Tuesday]," said President Obama. "We will keep working every single day to give American workers, and American businesses, a fair shot in the global economy."

　　Meanwhile, Beijing continues to wrestle¹⁰ with the effects of a cooling economy.

　　China recently posted its biggest trade deficit in 10 years, prompting its central bank to relax monetary policy and slow the appreciation¹¹ of China's currency.  The yuan has risen 30 percent against the U.S. dollar since 2005, but the United States believes the yuan remains¹² undervalued - giving China a competitive edge in export prices.

1 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

2 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》

3 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

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 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

6 inflexible   

adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的

参考例句：

• Charles was a man of settled habits and inflexible routine.查尔斯是一个恪守习惯、生活规律不容打乱的人。
• The new plastic is completely inflexible.这种新塑料是完全不可弯曲的。

7 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

8 brewing   

n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• It was obvious that a big storm was brewing up. 很显然，一场暴风雨正在酝酿中。
• She set about brewing some herb tea. 她动手泡一些药茶。

9 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

10 wrestle   

vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付

参考例句：

• He taught his little brother how to wrestle.他教他小弟弟如何摔跤。
• We have to wrestle with difficulties.我们必须同困难作斗争。

11 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

12 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。