【经济学人】为什么连双赢贸易协议都变得举步维艰丨2017年2月4日丨总第818期

IN THE wee hours of December 7th 2013, after weeks of haggling , exhausted trade representatives stood to applaud. Agreement had been reached on the first trade deal in the history of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). No longer could it be accused of being a talking shop , crimped by consensus . “For the first time in our history, the WTO has truly delivered,” said Roberto Azevêdo, the body’s chief. The deal is tantalisingly close to coming into force , needing just two more national ratifications . Chad, Jordan, Kuwait and Rwanda are competing to take it over the line .

2013年12月7日凌晨，在持续几周的讨价还价之后，筋疲力尽的贸易代表们全体起立，鼓掌庆祝。在世界贸易组织（WTO）历史上的第一项贸易协定已达成一致。这项协议再也不会受制于各执己见无法统一而被视为空谈。机构主席罗伯特·阿泽维多说：“世贸组织真正诞生了，这是我们有史以来的第一次”。但是协议差一点点便可以生效，仅仅再需要两个国家的批准。而乍得、约旦、科威特与卢旺达正在激烈争夺。

• over the line 过分，过界
  

• wee：adj.   很小的，极小的; 很早的;n.  一点点; 一会儿;

• haggle：n.  讨价还价; 争论;vt.   乱劈; 乱砍; 使疲惫;vi.   讨价还价; 争论不休;

• talking shop：n.      （只说不做的）清谈会；清谈委员会;

• consensus:一致；合意；舆论

• tantalisingly 诱人地

• come into force 生效

• ratification 批准

In theory, the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is a beacon of hope on the trade landscape. It was unanimously agreed to by rich and poor countries. If fully implemented, it could have an even bigger impact than slashing all tariffs. It is an example of a win-win deal, in which peer pressure pokes governments into making life easier and more prosperous.

理论上说，贸易便利化协议就像贸易世界的灯塔。这项协议得到了富裕国家和落后国家的一致同意。如果协议得到完全实施，那么它带来的影响甚至比大幅度削减所有关税的影响还要大。这是双赢协定的典型，在所有成员的压力下，各国政府着手使生活更加便利、更加殷实。

• Unanimously：全体一致的
  

• Beacon 灯塔，信号塔

The agreement shies away from slashing subsidies or toppling tariffs , and instead hacks at the thicket of regulatory trade barriers. The red tape is stickiest in poorer countries; in sub-Saharan Africa exporters must endure nearly 200 hours of inspections, regulations and paperwork. Richer countries face only 15 (see chart).

这项协定没有去大幅削减补助，或者降低关税，反而大肆修改监管贸易壁垒的尺度。贫困国家的过关手续是最繁琐的；在非洲撒哈拉沙漠以南地区，出口商需要忍受近乎200个小时的检查、监管以及通关文书等手续。不过，发达国家只需要15个小时。（见表）

• Topple推倒
  

• Shy away from ：回避

• Tariff: 关税

• Red tape:繁文缛节