2019-01-10

一、词汇

1. nebulous ['nebjʊləs] 朦胧的; 模糊的

ADJ If you describe something as nebulous, you mean that it is vague and not clearly defined or not easy to describe. 

But the offer combines some real concessions, like lower tariffs, with nebulous promises that will be hard to ensure China sticks to its commitments.

但这一提议之中包含降低关税等真正的让步，同时它的承诺非常含糊，难以确保中国真正履行。

2. wiggle out of 逃避

Many American officials and businesses complain that China has long wiggled out of commitments — accusations that China denies.

许多美国官员和企业抱怨说，中国长期以来逃避兑现承诺，中国对此予以否认。

3. amp up 放大，加大

the administration is poised to raise American tariffs on $200 billion a year in Chinese-made goods on March 2, amping up the trade war at a time when China faces rapidly softening growth and the American economy is facing headwinds.

政府准备在3月2日提高美国对每年2000亿美元中国制造商品的关税，从而在中国经济增长迅速放缓、美国经济面临逆风之际，加大贸易战的力度。

4. placate /pləˈkeɪt/ 安抚

V-T If you placate someone, you do or say something to make them stop feeling angry.

The efforts, Beijing believes, will help the Chinese economy even as they placate President Trump.

北京方面相信，这些努力虽然是为了安抚特朗普总统，但也有助于中国经济。

5. moot 无实际意义的 [美国英语]

ADJ If a subject or question is moot, it has no practical importance.

As with many laws in China, it could also be moot if local governments decide not to enforce it or if penalties are not stiff enough.

与中国的许多法律一样，如果地方政府决定不执行该法律，或者惩罚力度不够，它也可能没有实际意义。

6. discretionary /dɪˈskrɛʃənərɪ/ 酌情决定的

ADJ Discretionary things are not fixed by rules but are decided on by people in authority, who consider each individual case.

例：

Magistrates were given wider discretionary powers.

地方法官们被赋予了更广泛的酌情决定权。

7. succinct /səkˈsɪŋkt/ 简明的

ADJ Something that is succinct expresses facts or ideas clearly and in few words.

Chinese laws and regulations are often succinct

8. diligently adv. 勤奋地；勤勉地

9. enigmatic 神秘难解的

ADJ Someone or something that is enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.

10. move the needle 取得重大成效、产生显著或积极影响，改观