Negotiating a Trade Agreement

贸易协定谈判

Delegations from two countries enter a detailed negotiation session to discuss terms, tariffs, and regulations for a new bilateral trade agreement, encountering some points of contention.

两国代表团进入详细谈判环节，讨论新的双边贸易协定的条款、关税和法规，遇到一些争议点。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Chief Negotiator A (Male)

Good morning, Ambassador Lee. We appreciate you making the time for this critical session. Let's delve into the specifics of the agricultural tariffs.

早上好，李大使。感谢您抽出时间参加这次重要的会议。我们来深入讨论一下农产品关税的具体细节吧。

Chief Negotiator B (Female)

Good morning, Mr. Davis. Indeed. Our primary concern remains the proposed 15% tariff on our specialty crops. It would significantly impact our farmers.

早上好，戴维斯先生。的确。我们主要关注的仍然是针对我们特色作物的15%关税提议。这将严重影响我们的农民。

Chief Negotiator A (Male)

We understand your concerns, Ambassador, but this tariff is crucial for protecting our emerging domestic industries. Perhaps we could explore a phased reduction over five years?

我们理解您的担忧，大使，但这项关税对于保护我们新兴的国内产业至关重要。也许我们可以探讨在五年内分阶段削减？

Chief Negotiator B (Female)

A phased reduction is certainly a point for discussion, but five years seems rather extended. Would two to three years be more feasible, coupled with some non-tariff concessions on your side?

分阶段削减当然可以讨论，但五年似乎太长了。两到三年是否更可行，同时贵方也能做出一些非关税方面的让步？

Chief Negotiator A (Male)

That's an interesting counter-proposal. What sort of non-tariff concessions do you have in mind, Ambassador? We're open to exploring options that demonstrate mutual benefit.

这是一个有趣的还价。大使，您心目中的非关税让步是什么样的？我们乐于探讨能体现互惠互利的方案。

Chief Negotiator B (Female)

Specifically, we'd like to see streamlined customs procedures for our manufactured goods and mutual recognition of certain product certifications. This would significantly reduce trade barriers.

具体来说，我们希望看到对我们的制成品实行简化的海关程序，并对某些产品认证实行相互承认。这将大大减少贸易壁垒。

Chief Negotiator A (Male)

Streamlining customs is something we can certainly work towards. Mutual recognition of certifications, however, requires further internal review due to our regulatory frameworks. It's a complex area.

简化海关是我们当然可以努力的方向。然而，认证的相互承认由于我们的监管框架，需要进一步的内部审查。这是一个复杂的领域。

Chief Negotiator B (Female)

We understand the complexities. Perhaps a commitment to initiate a working group dedicated to harmonizing those standards within the first year of the agreement's implementation? That might bridge the gap.

我们理解其复杂性。也许可以承诺在协议实施的第一年内成立一个专门协调这些标准的工作组？这或许能弥合分歧。

Chief Negotiator A (Male)

A working group dedicated to harmonization. That's a constructive approach, Ambassador. Let me consult with my team on that specific timeframe and the agricultural tariff reduction. We're making progress.

一个致力于协调的工作组。这是一个建设性的方法，大使。我将与我的团队就这个具体时间框架和农产品关税削减进行磋商。我们正在取得进展。

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

appreciate

To feel grateful for something or someone; in negotiations, use it to politely thank others, like 'We appreciate your effort.'

对某事或某人感到感激；在谈判中，用它来礼貌地感谢他人，例如“我们感激你的努力。”

delve into

To examine or discuss something in detail; useful in meetings to suggest going deeper into a topic, e.g., 'Let's delve into the details.'

详细检查或讨论某事；在会议中建议深入探讨某个主题时有用，例如，“让我们深入探讨细节。”

tariff

A tax imposed on imported or exported goods; common in trade talks, like 'The tariff on crops is 15%.'

对进出口货物征收的税；常见于贸易谈判中，例如‘农作物关税为15%’。

concern

A feeling of worry or interest about a problem; in diplomacy, express it as 'Our main concern is the impact on farmers.'

对问题的一种担心或兴趣的感觉；在外交中，以‘我们主要关切的是对农民的影响。’来表达。

crucial

Very important or essential; use it to emphasize importance, such as 'This is crucial for our industries.'

非常重要或必不可少的；用它来强调重要性，例如“这对我们的产业至关重要。”

concessions

Something given up or allowed in negotiations to reach an agreement; practical in bargaining, e.g., 'We need concessions on tariffs.'

在谈判中为了达成协议而放弃或允许的事物；在讨价还价中实用，例如，'我们需要在关税上做出让步。'

streamlined

Made simpler and more efficient; often used for processes, like 'streamlined customs procedures' to reduce delays.

变得更简单和高效；常用于流程，例如“精简的海关程序”以减少延误。

harmonizing

Making different things consistent or in agreement; in trade, it means aligning standards, e.g., 'harmonizing certifications.'

使不同事物一致或相符；在贸易中，指对标准进行协调，例如“协调认证”。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

We appreciate you making the time for this critical session.

This polite opening shows gratitude and sets a positive tone; use it at the start of meetings. 'Appreciate' is followed by a gerund ('making') for actions.

这个礼貌的开场白表达了感激，并设置了积极的语气；在会议开始时使用它。'Appreciate' 后跟动名词（'making'）用于动作。

Let's delve into the specifics of the agricultural tariffs.

Suggests starting a detailed discussion; 'delve into' is an idiomatic phrase for in-depth exploration, useful in professional talks to move forward.

建议开始详细讨论；'delve into' 是一个习语，表示深入探索，在专业谈话中用于推进讨论。

Our primary concern remains the proposed 15% tariff on our specialty crops.

Expresses a key issue clearly; 'primary concern' highlights the main worry, and 'remains' shows it hasn't changed—great for stating positions in negotiations.

清晰表达了关键问题；'primary concern'突出了主要担忧，'remains'表示它没有改变——非常适合在谈判中陈述立场。

We understand your concerns, but this tariff is crucial for protecting our emerging domestic industries.

Acknowledges the other side while defending your view; uses 'but' for contrast, common in diplomatic language to balance empathy and firmness.

承认对方的观点同时捍卫自己的看法；使用'but'进行对比，在外交语言中常见，用于平衡同理心和坚定性。

Perhaps we could explore a phased reduction over five years?

Proposes a compromise politely with 'perhaps' and a question; 'explore' means to consider options, and 'phased reduction' describes gradual change—ideal for suggesting alternatives.

用'perhaps'和问题礼貌地提出妥协；'explore'意为考虑选项，'phased reduction'描述渐进变化—适合建议备选方案。

That's an interesting counter-proposal. What sort of non-tariff concessions do you have in mind?

Responds positively to an offer and asks for details; 'counter-proposal' is a negotiation term for a response idea, helping to keep dialogue open and collaborative.

对提议做出积极回应并询问细节；'counter-proposal'是谈判术语，表示回应想法，有助于保持对话开放和协作。

We're making progress.

Ends positively by noting advancement; simple present continuous tense shows ongoing improvement, useful to encourage and conclude sessions on a hopeful note.

以指出进展来积极结束；简单现在进行时显示正在进行的改进，有助于鼓励并以希望的音符结束会话。