緩和經濟壓力
The Federal Reserve swung into action on March 15, slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and launching a massive $700 billion quantitative easing program to shelter the economy from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
美國聯準會3月15日迅速採取行動，將基準利率降到接近零，並推出7,000億美元的大規模量化寬鬆計畫，以免經濟受到冠狀病毒的影響。
swing into action 迅速採取行動(swing-swung-swung)slash(v.)大幅削減launch(v.)推出;啟動quantitative easing 量化寬鬆政策=QEshelter(v.)保護、躲避
Central bank policymakers agreed to lower the federal funds rate by a full percentage point to a range of zero to 0.25% — where it hovered for years after the 2008 financial crisis.
央行決策官員同意將聯邦基金利率調降一個百分點，至零利率至0.25％的區間。2008年金融危機爆發後，聯邦基金利率在這一區間徘徊多年。
the federal funds rate 聯邦基金利率hover(v.)徘徊;盤旋
The swifter-than-expected rate cut is designed to prevent a credit crunch and financial market disruptions.
這次降息比預期更快，是為了防止信貸緊縮和金融市場動盪。
swifter-than-expected 比預期更快swift(adj.)迅速的;敏捷的;快的better than expected優於預期credit crunch 信貸緊縮(借貸困難、現金難求)crunch(n.)艱難局面;短缺an energy crunch 能源短缺financial market disruptions 金融市場動盪disruption(n.)混亂;中斷
“The coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries, including the United States,” the Fed said in a statement. “The effects of the coronavirus will weigh on economic activity in the near-term and pose risks to the economic outlook.”
聯準會發表聲明說，冠狀病毒疫情危害社區，打亂許多國家的經濟活動，包括美國在內，短期內會對經濟活動造成壓力，對經濟前景構成風險。
disrupt(v.)disruption(n.)打亂;中斷weigh on…為…帶來壓力
The Fed already cut interest rates by half a percentage point on March 3 at an emergency meeting, the first rate cut outside of a regularly scheduled policy meeting since the financial crisis in 2008.
聯準會3月3日緊急召開會議，已降息0.5個百分點，是2008年金融危機以來首度在例行政策會議以外降息。
The central bank is also renewing its bond buying program, saying it will purchase $500 billion in Treasury bonds and $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities.
美國央行還重新啟動購買債券的計畫，表示將購買5,000億美元的美國公債和2,000億美元的不動產抵押貸款證券。
renew(v.)重新開始;延長執照、合約的有效期、續約Treasury bonds美國公債mortgage-backed securities不動產抵押貸款證券，簡稱MBSmortgage不動產貸款;房貸mortgage rates 房貸利率
The bond and mortgage security purchases are tools the Fed previously used during the most recent recession. They helped to shore up housing and US government debt — two crucial markets that keep the wheels of the American financial system turning.
購買美國公債和抵押貸款證券是聯準會在最近的經濟衰退中使用過的工具。這兩種工具有助於支撐房地產和美國政府債務——這兩個關鍵市場維持美國金融體系運轉。
shore up 支撐，改善keep the wheels turning 維持運轉
“The Federal Reserve is prepared to use its full range of tools to support the flow of credit to households and businesses and thereby promote its maximum employment and price stability goals,” the Fed said.
聯準會表示準備利用各種工具來支持信貸流向家庭和企業，進而促進充分就業和物價穩定的目標。
maximum employment 充分就業
In addition, the Fed united with five other central banks to ensure that dollars are available around the world via swap lines.
此外，聯準會還聯合其他五家央行，透過貨幣互換協議確保美元在全球供應無虞。
swap lines央行之間貨幣互換協議
It can be difficult for foreign central banks to lend to their financial institutions in US dollars, the world’s reserve currency, if they’re experiencing severe economic and financial stress. The coordinated move is aimed at alleviating that tension.
如果外國央行遭遇嚴重的經濟和金融壓力，就會難以提供美元貸款給自己的金融機構。美元是全球儲備貨幣。而聯手行動是為了緩和這種緊張局勢。
reserve currency 儲備貨幣coordinated move 聯手行動coordinate(v.)協調，配合be aimed at 針對;以……為目的alleviate(v.)減輕;緩和