VOA常速英语2007年-Tensions of Interim Trade Agreements Weigh on A

By Scott Bobb
Lisbon
07 December 2007

African and European leaders are in Portugal to forge a more balanced relationship between the two continents and one of the major topics of discussion is trade. But the trade talks have been soured by tensions over interim¹ deals between the European Union and some African countries. VOA's Scott Bobb reports from Lisbon.

During their summit in Lisbon, African and European Union leaders plan to sign a plan of action to boost trade between their countries.

Europe historically has been Africa's largest trading partner with trade last year reaching some $300 billion. But Europe feels this relationship has stagnated² in recent years and is being challenged by China, India and Brazil.

The European Union since 1975 has exempted³ developing nations from many import tariffs⁴. But these agreements were ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization, obliging the EU to negotiate new interim accords called Economic Partnership⁵ Agreements.

The EU ambassador to Uganda, Vincent de Visscher, explains that the new accords are designed to make the developing nations of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, known as the ACP, more competitive.

"Realizing that the trade flow between the ACP and the European Union was slowly going down, we said what about competitiveness, is it the time to increase competitiveness in the ACP countries?," he said.

He pointed⁶ out that without the interim agreements, tariffs next year would rise on many African exports. A dozen countries have decided⁷ to sign the new accords but most have refused.

An international trade expert with South Africa's Cape⁸ Town University, Mills Soko, says the new accords are causing unease.

"There are concerns that if this process of equalizing these relations is not managed properly it could have negative effects for African economies," said Soko.

Critics say the new accords will flood African markets with cheaper goods while at the same time lowering government revenues from customs tariffs.

Soko says African governments also object to the EU's negotiating tactics.

"The EU is being accused of using backroom tactics to place on the agenda issues that the WTO has not resolved yet," said Soko. "And one of those issues relates to services."

Developing nations say that the EU could have asked for an extension from the WTO.

This has led some analysts⁹ to wonder whether the talk of a new, more equal relationship between Africa and Europe is indeed sincere.

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 stagnated   

v.停滞，不流动，不发展( stagnate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The balloting had stagnated, he couldn't win. 投票工作陷于停顿，他不能得胜。 来自辞典例句
• His mind has stagnated since his retirement. 他退休后头脑迟钝了。 来自辞典例句

3 exempted   

使免除[豁免]( exempt的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• His bad eyesight exempted him from military service. 他因视力不好而免服兵役。
• Her illness exempted her from the examination. 她因病而免试。

4 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。

5 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

6 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

7 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。

8 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

9 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。