Many companies have decided it's almost impossible to do business in Russia

Many companies have decided¹ it's almost impossible to do business in Russia

Transcript²

Companies from BP to GM are either cutting their investments or curtailing³ their presence in Russia — adding to the country's isolation⁴ after its invasion of Ukraine.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Russia's assault on Ukraine and resulting sanctions are the reason many international companies are leaving Russia. Here's NPR's David Gura.

DAVID GURA, BYLINE⁵: The U.S. and its allies are twisting a vise on Russia's economy, restricting access to currency reserves and kicking banks out of SWIFT, a global network financial firms use to conduct transactions. The value of the ruble has plummeted⁶ more than 20% against the dollar, and many big companies have decided it's all but impossible to do business in Russia.

DAN TANNENBAUM: They just don't feel the risk is worth it anymore.

GURA: Dan Tannenbaum is the global head of sanctions at the consulting firm Oliver Wyman. What started with an announcement from BP - that it plans to unwind a 20% stake in a Russian oil company - has led to what seems like a torrent⁷ in the days that have followed. Exxon plans to end a big project off Russia's coast. Volvo says it won't deliver any cars to the Russian market until further notice. Harley-Davidson has stopped shipments of its bikes to the country, and Apple has stopped selling its iPhones and other products in Russia.

TANNENBAUM: I do think you're going to continue to see more businesses voting with their feet and not necessarily leave the market because of being kind of good corporate⁸ citizens and standing⁹ with Ukraine, leaving the market because the risk just isn't worth the reward, above all else.

GURA: It's onerous¹⁰ and expensive. And on top of that, it's a bad look. Roberto Gonzalez is a partner at the law firm Paul, Weiss. He says companies are therefore deciding the time to take action is now to get ahead of more sanctions and scrutiny¹¹.

ROBERTO GONZALEZ: Companies have an opportunity to pull back now. You know, they might take it just to sort of decrease the commercial and reputational risks of having to take action later.

GURA: Gonzalez says he expects more companies could leave and the U.S. and its allies could continue to tighten¹² that vise. But some of them have done the calculation, and they're wary¹³ of walking away from what's a pretty sizable consumer market. Russia is home to 144 million people. WeWork is one company. Its CEO says it doesn't plan to close its four locations in Moscow, even though they account for just a small fraction of the company's overall revenue. David Gura, NPR News, New York.

(SOUNDBITE OF BRAD MEHLDAU'S "PARANOID ANDROID")

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 curtailing   

v.截断，缩短( curtail的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• They will be curtailing the discussions at two thirty. 他们将把讨论缩短至两点半。 来自互联网
• Individually, banks are acting rationally by retaining their capital and curtailing lending. 此外，银行们正在合理地保留其资本和减少贷款。 来自互联网

4 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

5 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

6 plummeted   

v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Share prices plummeted to an all-time low. 股票价格暴跌到历史最低点。
• A plane plummeted to earth. 一架飞机一头栽向地面。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 torrent   

n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发

参考例句：

• The torrent scoured a channel down the hillside. 急流沿着山坡冲出了一条沟。
• Her pent-up anger was released in a torrent of words.她压抑的愤怒以滔滔不绝的话爆发了出来。

8 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

9 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

10 onerous   

adj.繁重的

参考例句：

• My household duties were not particularly onerous.我的家务活并不繁重。
• This obligation sometimes proves onerous.这一义务有时被证明是艰巨的。

11 scrutiny   

n.详细检查，仔细观察

参考例句：

• His work looks all right,but it will not bear scrutiny.他的工作似乎很好，但是经不起仔细检查。
• Few wives in their forties can weather such a scrutiny.很少年过四十的妻子经得起这么仔细的观察。

12 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

13 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。