2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Signs Vietnam Trade Measure

By Paula Wolfson
White House
20 December 2006

President Bush has signed legislation normalizing U.S. trade relations with Vietnam.   VOA's Paula Wolfson reports from the White House the provision was included in a wide-ranging tax bill.

President George Bush signs bill, 20 Dec 2006

President Bush says amazing changes are taking place in Vietnam and more could be on the way as that country opens up its economy and joins the World Trade Organization.

"Vietnam is demonstrating a strong commitment to economic reform," he said.  "And I believe that's going to encourage political reform and greater respect for human rights and human dignity."

Mr. Bush said expanding trade with the United States will help the Vietnamese people build a strong economy that is going to raise their standard of living.

"It's in our interest to help those who struggle," he added.  "It's in the interest of the United States to promote prosperity around the world, and the best way to do so is through opening up markets and free and fair trade."

For Vietnam, permanent normal trade status with the United States means it will now be treated the same as America's other WTO trading partners, and two-way trade will proceed using the lower tariffs² mandated³ by WTO rules.

Language adding Vietnam to the long list of countries with permanent normalized trade relations was included by Congress in a broad tax bill that passed in the final moments of the just-concluded legislative⁴ session.  In essence, the bill exempts⁵ Vietnam from the annual human rights and immigration-related reviews required for Communist countries to get trade benefits.

President Bush had hoped to win Congressional approval before his trip to Vietnam last month.  But critics managed to stall the measure for weeks, citing concerns about its impact on the U.S. textile industry and raising questions about Vietnam's long-term commitment to human rights.

The tax bill also contains tariff¹ provisions affecting Haiti, sub-Saharan Africa and the Andean nations.  It extends a series of existing programs that give duty-free status to products these countries export to the United States.

President Bush said he hopes to develop trade relationships with other countries in the future.

"Trade is an engine of economic growth, and I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the new Congress to open up markets for U.S. farmers and manufacturers and service providers, and provide new opportunities for people around the world and help eliminate poverty," he said.

But it may be difficult for Mr. Bush to reach a meeting of the minds with the Democrats⁶ who will soon assume control of the House and Senate.  They have already made clear that they are not likely to extend the president's current trade negotiating authority when it expires on July 1.

1 tariff   

n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表

参考例句：

• There is a very high tariff on jewelry.宝石类的关税率很高。
• The government is going to lower the tariff on importing cars.政府打算降低进口汽车的关税。

2 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。

3 mandated   

adj. 委托统治的

参考例句：

• Mandated desegregation of public schools. 命令解除公立学校中的种族隔离
• Britain was mandated to govern the former colony of German East Africa. 英国受权代管德国在东非的前殖民地。

4 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

5 exempts   

使免除[豁免]( exempt的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• This privilege, however, exempts only predecisional documents. 然而，此特权只免除那些文件在作出决定之前的披露责任。
• Function effectiveness: After then special-purpose, exempts the flushing formula. 功能效用：便后专用，免冲洗配方。

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》