42 布什为扩张贸易权利不懈努力-英语课

时间：2019-01-31 作者：英语课 分类：VOA2001-国际风云（1）

英语课

Bush Faces Uphill Battle For Expanded Trade Authority

Paula Wolfson

White House

18 Jun 2001 22:16 UTC

President Bush is 1)stepping up his fight for expanded trade negotiating powers. He faces a 2)tough battle in the U.S. Congress, where opposition 1 is strong.

Like Bill Clinton before him, President Bush faces 3)substantial opposition in Congress to an expansion of his trade 4)negotiating 5)authority.

Until 1994, Congress 6)routinely gave the White House the ability to 7)submit trade pacts 2 for a simple yes or no vote. Under this arrangement - known for years as "fast track" - 8)lawmakers gave up the ability to make any changes.

This process was welcomed by foreign governments, and trade experts say it gave an 9)impetus to negotiations 3.

But in recent years, it has fallen out of favor on Capitol Hill. Many Democrats 4 oppose 10)enhanced trade negotiating authority because they fear it might result in pacts with weak language on labor 5 rights and the environment. And some Republicans, especially during the Clinton years, expressed concern it would put too much power in the hands of the president.

But Mr. Bush appears convinced he can win congressional approval. And he is urging leaders of major farm organizations to help. "This call to arms for trade promotion 6 authority is not a hollow call. This is important," Mr. Bush said. "It's not only important for this president, it's important for future presidents. Because the world is a fantastic opportunity for us, and it's an opportunity we have got to seize if we expect to have 11)prosperity in one of the most vital sectors 7 in our nation."

The president brought representatives of dozens of farm groups to the White House Monday to talk about trade. He said good agreements are 12)vital to the future of American agriculture. "This is an area where our country has a competitive advantage. We're really good at it. And the job of this administration must be to open up more markets for ag [agricultural] products," Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Bush noted 8 that 25 percent of all farm 13)revenue in the United States is 14)generated by exports. He said enhanced trade negotiating authority is essential if American farmers are to overcome barriers in the forms of 15)tariffs, quotas 9, and "unscientific thought" about American agricultural products.

But as he said those words, the president knew only too well that he remains 10 far short of the majority he needs to get the 16)legislation through the 17)House of Representatives. Some Democrats are offering support in exchange for sanctions language. They want any trading partner that fails to live up to labor and environmental standards to lose access to the U.S. market. In his remarks to farm leaders, Mr. Bush indicated such conditions would be totally unacceptable - a sign that the fight over this bill could go on for some time.