🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Australia and the United States are facing a disagreement over a new tariff plan. Recently, the United States announced its intention to impose a new anti-slavery tariff on goods from several countries, including Australia. This move is part of an effort to combat slavery and forced labor worldwide. The U.S. believes that these tariffs will encourage countries to take more action against these issues. However, Australia’s Prime Minister has expressed concerns, stating that there is an “ideological disagreement” between the two countries on this matter.
The U.S. plans to apply this tariff to products coming from countries that it believes have not done enough to prevent slavery and forced labor. Australia, along with dozens of other nations, is on this list. The Australian government is worried that this tariff could negatively affect its economy, as it might lead to higher costs for Australian exporters. The Prime Minister argues that Australia has already made significant efforts to combat these issues and that the U.S. tariff might not recognize these efforts.
This situation has sparked a debate about how countries can best work together to eliminate slavery and forced labor. Some experts suggest that rather than imposing tariffs, countries should collaborate on international agreements and share best practices. Others argue that tariffs can be an effective tool to enforce international labor standards.
The disagreement between Australia and the U.S. highlights the complexities of international trade and human rights issues. It raises questions about how countries can balance economic interests with ethical responsibilities. As discussions continue, both countries hope to find a resolution that addresses both economic concerns and the need to protect human rights.
📝 Vocabulary
- tariff: a tax on imports or exports
例文: “The government imposed a new tariff on imported goods.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- impose a tariff
- tariff rate
- tariff policy
関税 - disagreement: a difference of opinion
例文: “There was a disagreement between the two countries over trade policies.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- ideological disagreement
- major disagreement
- resolve a disagreement
意見の相違 - combat: to fight against something
例文: “The government is taking measures to combat unemployment.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- combat crime
- combat inflation
- combat disease
戦う - exporter: a person or company that sells goods to another country
例文: “The company is a leading exporter of electronics.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- major exporter
- leading exporter
- exporter of goods
輸出業者 - ethical: relating to moral principles
例文: “The company was praised for its ethical business practices.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- ethical standards
- ethical dilemma
- ethical responsibility
倫理的な
✏️ Grammar Point
Relative Clauses – “The U.S. plans to apply this tariff to products coming from countries that it believes have not done enough to prevent slavery and forced labor.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
関係代名詞は、特定の名詞について説明を追加する際に使われます。ビジネス文書や会話でよく用いられます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The U.S. is planning to impose a new tariff on goods from Australia to combat forced labor.
- MCQ: What is Australia’s concern about the new U.S. tariff?
a) It will increase trade with the U.S.
b) It might not recognize Australia’s efforts against forced labor.
c) It will benefit Australian exporters.
d) It will be removed soon. - MCQ: How do experts suggest countries work together to combat slavery?
a) By reducing tariffs.
b) By collaborating on international agreements.
c) By increasing exports.
d) By ignoring the issue.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- True
- b) It might not recognize Australia’s efforts against forced labor.
- b) By collaborating on international agreements.
📚 Reading Questions
- What is the reason behind the U.S. imposing a new tariff on goods from several countries?
- Why is there a disagreement between Australia and the U.S. regarding the new tariff?
- What does the word “ethical” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The U.S. aims to combat slavery and forced labor worldwide.
- There is a disagreement because Australia believes it has already made significant efforts to combat these issues.
- Relating to moral principles.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
アメリカがオーストラリアを含む複数の国に対して、強制労働対策が不十分であるとして新たな関税を課す計画を発表しました。これにより、オーストラリアの輸出業者にとってコストが増加し、経済に悪影響を与える可能性があります。オーストラリア政府は既に強制労働問題に対して積極的に取り組んでいると主張し、この関税が努力を正当に評価していないと懸念しています。今後、国際的な協力を通じて人権保護と経済的利益のバランスをどのように取るかが問われています。
