Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. restriction (n.) [ri-strik-shuhn] – a rule that controls or limit something
Example: Use of fossil fuel should have restrictions to protect the environment.
2. element (n.) [el-uh-muhnt] – in
Chemistry, a basic substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances
Example: Hydrogen is the first element because it is composed of one
atom.
3. obtain (v.) [uhb-teyn] – to get
or gain something with a certain amount of effort
Example:
Certain ingredients are expensive because they are hard to obtain.
4. mining (n.) [mahy-ning] – the
process of getting minerals or precious rocks in the earth by digging deep
through the ground.
Example: Gold and other precious metals are
obtained through mining.
5. in favor of (idiom) [in][fey-ver][uhv, ov; unstressed uhv or, especially before consonants, uh] – to choose something over another
Example: The judge ruled in favor of the victim.
Article
Read the text below.
The United States (US), European
Union (EU) and Japan have jointly complained to the World Trade Organization
(WTO) about China’s restriction on
rare earth exports.
Rare earths are elements that are difficult to obtain but are needed to manufacture electronic items such as
television screens, camera lenses, smartphones, hybrid cars and renewable
energy devices. Currently, China produces 95% of the world’s rare earth
exports.
But China has recently placed limits on
exporting these materials causing concern for other countries. The US, EU
and Japan say the limited supply has resulted in higher prices.
US trade representatives argue that
foreign industries will not be able to compete with China’s industries if
China controls the price of rare earth exports. In a press conference, US
president Barrack Obama said that such unfair practices break international trade
agreements.
China’s defense is that it has
established restrictions to avoid further environmental damage caused by too
much mining of rare earths. The
Ministry’s spokesperson, Liu Weimin, also said that the country’s recent
policies are within WTO rules.
In an earlier case, WTO ruled in favor of the EU after it
complained of China’s illegal restriction on materials like magnesium and
zinc.
EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht
says that China has not yet lifted the illegal restrictions, and the EU must
again challenge China’s policies in order for EU businesses to gain access to
materials. China will likely receive penalties if the WTO rules in favor of
Japan, the US and the EU.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you think it was fair for China
to limit the exports of rare earth metal? Why or why not?
·
What could be the impact of US, EU
and Japan’s complaints against China? Please explain your answer.
Discussion B
·
How
is a country’s economy related to its environment?
·
Do
you think protection of the environment hurts the economy? Please explain your
answer.
