台灣經濟新挑戰
On April 9, Minister of Transportation and Communication Chen Shih-kai warned that Taiwan’s economy could soon experience problems.
4月9日，交通部長陳世凱警告，台灣的經濟可能很快就會出現問題。
economy(n.)經濟(狀況)economic(adj.)經濟的economical(adj.)節約的economist(n.)經濟學家economy class經濟艙
He said Taiwan’s exports and tourism could go down in May. The reason is a trade war started by U.S. President Donald Trump.
他表示，台灣的出口和觀光業在五月可能會下滑。原因是美國總統川普挑起貿易戰。
go down減少、下降be on the decrease有下降的趨勢launch(v.)發起launch／wage a war發起戰爭
In early April, Trump raised import taxes on goods from many countries.
四月初，川普提高了對許多國家商品的進口稅。
import(n.)進口(品)tax(n.)稅、稅金merchandise(n.)商品
Taiwan is one of the countries affected by this change. Now, Taiwanese products entering the U.S. must pay a 10% tax.
台灣也是受到影響的國家之一。現在，台灣出口到美國的商品必須繳10%的關稅。
one of+複數N.其中之一的～affect(v.)影響tariff(n.)關稅retaliatory tariff報復性關稅reciprocal tariff互惠的關稅
This tax could go up to 32% in the next few months.
這個稅率在接下來幾個月內可能會提高到32%。
increase(v.)增加surge(v.)暴漲=skyrocket
Trump had planned to start the higher tax on April 9, but he decided to delay the increase for 90 days.
川普原本打算從4月9日開始徵收較高的關稅，但他後來決定延後90天才實施。
had V-p.p.過去完成式
Chen said Taiwan’s sea exports may drop by 3% to 5% by late May.
陳世凱指出，台灣的海運出口在五月底可能會減少3%到5%。
drop(v.)下降plummet(v.)驟降
He also said fewer business travelers might visit Taiwan.
他也表示，來台的商務旅客可能會變少。
pay a visit to…參(拜)訪～
This could happen if the global economy becomes worse. However, there is also some good news.
如果全球景氣變差，這樣的情況可能會發生。不過，也有一些好消息。
global(adj.)全球的globe(n.)地球worsen(v.)惡化=exacerbate
Taiwanese airlines are thinking about buying more airplanes from the U.S.
台灣的航空公司正在考慮向美國購買更多飛機。
think about考慮、想一想consider(v.)考慮purchase(v.)購買
Chen said the government is watching the situation very closely. They want to understand how these changes may affect Taiwan’s economy.
陳世凱說，政府正密切關注形勢的發展，以了解這些變化會如何影響台灣的經濟。
watch／keep an eye on the situation關注形勢keep a close watch on sth.關注某事influence(v.)影響