VOA慢速英语:中国对500亿美国商品加征关税回应美国

Tensions between the United States and China are increasing over trade issues.
中美两国在贸易问题上的紧张关系持续升温。
On Wednesday, China announced plans to increase taxes on $50 billion of U.S. goods. The Chinese measures would increase tariffs by 25 percent on 106 products, such as soybeans, airplanes and cars. The Associated Press said the list includes the biggest U.S. exports to China.
中国周三宣布计划对价值500亿美元的美国商品的加征税收。中国的这些措施将会把大豆、汽车和飞机等106种产品的关税提高25%。美联社表示，这份清单中包括美国对中国的最大出口。

China's announcement answers U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to increase tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. The U.S. list, released Tuesday, strikes at China's high-technology industries.
中国这一宣告回应了美国总统川普对价值500亿美元的中国商品加征关税的计划。美国周二发布的这份清单直击中国的高科技行业。

Chinese officials did not say when the tariff increase on U.S. imports would take effect. They say the timing will depend on what the Trump administration does.
中国官员并未公布对美国进口商品加征关税何时生效。他们表示，具体时间取决于川普政府的动作。

Why the clash?
为何发生冲突？

On the U.S. side, the tensions between the two countries is tied to Trump's promise to reduce a trade deficit with China. Last year, the deficit was more than $375 billion.
在美国方面，两国之间的紧张局势与川普承诺减少对中国的贸易逆差有关。去年，这一逆差超过了3750亿美元。

On the Chinese side, the ruling Communist Party is trying to develop the country's economy, especially high-tech companies. But foreign business people say Chinese rules limit competition and sometimes require them to help Chinese businesses improve their products.
在中国方面，执政党正致力于发展该国的经济，尤其是高科技公司。但是外国企业界人士表示，中国的政策限制了竞争，有时候还要求他们帮助中国企业改进其产品。

Chinese officials say their government does not discriminate against foreign businesses. And the deputy commerce minister told reporters that China had not planned to increase taxes on U.S. imports. "It must be said, we have been forced into taking this action," he said.
中国官员表示，中国政府不会歧视外国企业。商务部副部长告诉记者，中国本来没有计划提高美国进口税。他说，“必须指出的是，我们是被迫采取这一行动。”

What could happen next?
后续如何发展？

Many officials in both countries are urging the two sides to negotiate.
两国很多官员都督促双方进行谈判。

However, a small but active group of people in China are already calling for a boycott of U.S. products.
然而，中国一小波活跃分子已经开始呼吁抵制美国产品。

Internet commenters have noted the power of Chinese citizens. Last year, Chinese consumers informally boycotted South Korean goods after South Korea accepted a U.S.-made anti-missile system. Their boycott was estimated to have reduced South Korea's economic growth last year by .4 percentage points.
互联网评论人士已经注意到了中国公民的力量。去年在韩国接收美国制造的反导系统之后，中国消费者非正式地抵制韩国商品。据估计，他们的抵制行动让韩国的经济增长降低了0.4个百分点。

As yet, observers do not see any signs of an organized campaign in China to reject U.S. goods. But they noted the danger of creating a negative image around American products.
迄今为止，评论人士并未看到中国任何有组织活动抵制美国商品的迹象。但是他们注意到了给美国商品造成负面影响的危险性。

Wine expert Jim Boyce lives in Beijing and writes a blog called Grapewallofchina. He said additional taxes on wine could have an effect, but that cost was not the only issue of concern.
葡萄酒专家吉姆·博伊斯（Jim Boyce）居住在北京，他撰写了一个名为《葡萄酒中国》的博客。他说，对酒类加税可能会产生影响，但是这种代价并非唯一值得关注的问题。

"Are we going to see people in China worried about drinking American wine because of politics?" he said. "That's the bigger problem."
他说，“我们是否将会看到中国人因为政治而担心喝美国葡萄酒？这是更大的问题。”