🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Recently, there has been a significant development in the trade tensions between the United States and China. President Trump reacted strongly to China’s decision to impose new restrictions on the export of rare earth materials. These materials are crucial for many high-tech products, such as smartphones, electric cars, and military equipment. China’s move is seen as a strategic one, as they are the world’s largest producer of rare earths, holding a dominant position in the global market.
The restrictions have raised concerns in the U.S. because these materials are essential for its technology and defense industries. In response, President Trump threatened to impose “massive” tariffs on Chinese goods if the situation does not improve. He also mentioned the possibility of canceling a planned meeting with President Xi Jinping, which was scheduled to take place at the end of the month. This meeting was expected to address ongoing trade issues and seek ways to ease the tensions between the two countries.
The U.S. and China have been engaged in a trade war for some time, with both sides imposing tariffs on each other’s goods. This latest development adds more pressure to the already strained relationship, raising uncertainties about future trade negotiations. The global economy is also affected, as these two countries are major players in international trade.
Experts suggest that the situation could lead to increased prices for consumer electronics and other products that rely on rare earth materials. Companies might need to find alternative sources or materials, which could be costly and time-consuming. The outcome of this situation will likely depend on the diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and China in the coming weeks.
📝 Vocabulary
- restrict: to limit something (日本語訳：制限する)
例文: “The government decided to restrict access to certain areas.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- restrict access
- restrict movement
- restrict use
- tariff: a tax on imported goods (日本語訳：関税)
例文: “The new tariff on steel has affected many industries.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- impose tariff
- tariff increase
- tariff rate
- export: to send goods to another country for sale (日本語訳：輸出する)
例文: “Japan exports a lot of cars to other countries.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- export goods
- export market
- export restrictions
- strategic: carefully planned to achieve a specific goal (日本語訳：戦略的な)
例文: “They made a strategic decision to invest in renewable energy.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- strategic decision
- strategic position
- strategic plan
- dominate: to have control or power over something (日本語訳：支配する)
例文: “One company dominates the tech industry.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- dominate market
- dominate industry
- dominate field
✏️ Grammar Point
Conditional Sentences – First Conditional – “If the situation does not improve, President Trump threatened to impose ‘massive’ tariffs on Chinese goods.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
この構文は、ビジネスや日常会話で将来の条件付きの出来事を話すときに使われます。
📝 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: President Trump decided to cancel the meeting with President Xi Jinping.
- MCQ: What are rare earth materials used for?
a) Food production
b) High-tech products
c) Clothing manufacturing
d) Agriculture - MCQ: What is China’s role in the rare earth market?
a) They are a small producer.
b) They import a lot of rare earths.
c) They are the world’s largest producer.
d) They do not export rare earths.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) High-tech products
- c) They are the world’s largest producer.
📚 Reading Questions
- What action did President Trump threaten to take in response to China’s restrictions?
- Why do you think China’s restriction on rare earth exports is considered strategic?
- What does the word “dominant” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- President Trump threatened to impose “massive” tariffs on Chinese goods.
- Because China is the world’s largest producer of rare earths, affecting many industries.
- To have control or power over something.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
米中貿易摩擦が再び激化しています。中国がレアアースの輸出を制限するという発表を受け、トランプ大統領が中国製品に対する関税を大幅に引き上げる可能性を示唆しました。レアアースはハイテク製品や軍事装備に欠かせない資源であり、米国の技術産業に大きな影響を与えます。この対立は、両国の貿易交渉をさらに複雑にし、世界経済にも波及する可能性があります。今後の展開は、米中間の外交的な話し合いにかかっています。
