VOA慢速英语2010年-Economics Report - Major Economies Cau

 

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report.

Concerns about a double-dip recession were back in the news this week. Some economists¹ warned of the possibility of another downturn if governments withdraw growth measures too quickly. But others warned of the dangers of letting deficits² and debts continue to grow.

Leaders of the world's biggest economies agreed Sunday to cut their deficits by half or more by twenty thirteen. They also promised to try to reduce the size of their government debt in relation to their economy by twenty sixteen.

Western countries have not faced such high debt levels in sixty years. Leaders like President Obama, however, argue that the recession would have been much worse without the spending.

At the close of the Group of 20 Summit in Toronto, Canada, the president noted³ moves in Europe to cut government spending.

BARACK OBAMA: "A number of our European partners are making difficult decisions. But we must recognize that our fiscal⁴ health tomorrow will rest in no small measure on our ability to create jobs and growth today."

In the United States, stocks have been falling since April on concerns about the recovery. This week a business research group reported a drop in consumer confidence after three months of gains. The Conference Board said more Americans believed business conditions were bad and that jobs were hard to get.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron at the opening meeting of the G-20 summit in Toronto, Canada

New jobless claims rose in the latest government report. Still, employment expert John Challenger says his findings suggest that the nation's employers are not expecting a double-dip recession. He points to a big drop in the number of planned job cuts announced by employers over the past six months.

Even so, other reports showed big drops in housing sales in May. That followed the end of a homebuyer's tax credit. This week, Congress voted to extend the credit to the end of September -- but only for people who signed a deal by April thirtieth.

Also this week, the House of Representatives passed a major bill to rewrite financial rules and add consumer protections. The bill provides a way for the government to close failing banks.

President Obama had hoped to sign a final bill by July fourth, Independence Day. But the Senate has delayed action on its version of the financial reform bill until Congress returns July twelfth. Democrats⁶ agreed to remove a proposed fee on banks, in hopes of securing passage.

The vote was delayed in part because of the death of longtime Senator Robert Byrd, a Democrat⁵ from West Virginia.

And that’s the VOA Special English Economics Report. You can read and listen to our programs at voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Mario Ritter
 

1 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 deficits   

n.不足额( deficit的名词复数 )；赤字；亏空；亏损

参考例句：

• The Ministry of Finance consistently overestimated its budget deficits. 财政部一贯高估预算赤字。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Many of the world's farmers are also incurring economic deficits. 世界上许多农民还在遭受经济上的亏损。 来自辞典例句

3 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。

4 fiscal   

adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的

参考例句：

• The increase of taxation is an important fiscal policy.增税是一项重要的财政政策。
• The government has two basic strategies of fiscal policy available.政府有两个可行的财政政策基本战略。

5 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。

6 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》