逆轉保守態度
The United States is poised to make a $7 billion arms deal with Taiwan, deepening its commitment to Taipei amid escalating tensions with Beijing.
在與北京的關係持續緊張的情況下，美國繼續履行對台灣承諾，準備與台灣達成70億美元軍售交易。
poised(adj.)做好準備的、準備就緒的=ready=set=prepareddeepen(v.)(使)加深;深化commitment(n.)承諾=promiseescalate(v.)(使)增強;(使)加劇;(使)惡化tension(n.)緊張關係;緊張局勢racial tensions種族間的緊張關係
The weapons to be sold include mines, cruise missiles, and drones, which make it the second-largest arms deal between the two countries.
出售的武器包括水雷、巡弋飛彈及無人機等，為兩國間史上第二大軍售案。
mine(n.)地雷、水雷cruise missiles巡弋飛彈drone(n.)無人機
The sale also includes $400 million worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones as well as related sensors, logistics, ground control stations, training, and other equipment.
這次軍售案還包括價值4億美元的MQ-9B「海上衛士」無人機，以及相關的傳感器、後勤、地面控制站、培訓和其它裝備。
logistics(n.)物流、後勤
The potential deal represents a major departure from the more conservative approach taken by previous administrations.
這起軍售案與先前美國政府所採取更為保守的做法大相徑庭。
represent(v.)代表=stand forsymbolize(v.)象徵departure(n.)偏離、背離、脫離conservative(adj.)保守的approach(n.)(思考問題的)方式;方法;態度strategy(n.)策略;戰略=tactic
In the past, US military sales to Taiwan were often spaced out and carefully calibrated so as not to ruffle Beijing’s feathers.
過去，美對台軍售通常會間隔一段時間，並仔細衡量內容，以免觸怒北京。
space out使～間隔一段時間、注意力渙散;放空calibrate(v.)校正、校準(武器、測量工具等)so as not to RV為了不要=in order not to RVruffle feathers 刺激、激怒某人=to provoke or irritate somebody
The $7 billion deal would add to the roughly $15 billion in arms already sold to the country during the Trump administration.
在這次70億美元的軍售案之前，川普任內美國已對台出售約150億美元的武器。
roughly(adv.)大約=about
In comparison, arms sales to Taiwan during the eight years when Obama was in office totaled around $14 billion.
相比之下，歐巴馬執政8年期間，對台軍售總額約為140億美元。
in comparison 相形之下;相比之下=by comparison
The Trump administration has become more aggressive with China this year and has inched closer to Taipei in recent months, especially with the November election approaching.
川普政府今年對中國的態度更為強勢，尤其是11月大選將至，最近幾個月更是與台北走得越來越近。
aggressive(adj.)具攻擊性的;挑釁的inch(v.)緩慢地移動inch closer to…一步步逼近…;漸漸向…靠攏
The arms sale comes amid a lingering trade war and Trump’s continued criticisms of the way Beijing handled the coronavirus.
美中貿易戰持續進行，川普又不斷抱怨北京防疫不當。
lingering(adj.)持續的;長時間的
Last Wednesday, US Undersecretary of State Keith Krach visited Taiwan after US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar was here last month.
上週三，美國國務次卿克拉奇訪台，上月衛生部長阿扎爾也造訪台灣，
Undersecretary of State 國務次卿Secretary of State國務卿
These visits by the high-ranking officials marked the culmination of Taiwan-US relations since Washington severed ties in 1979.
連續兩位高階官員訪台顯示兩國關係已達到從1979年斷交以來的最高點。
high-ranking officials高階官員mark(v.)標示出;象徵著symbolize(v.)象徵著culmination(n.)最高點、巔峰=pinnacle=peak=climax=highest pointsever(v.)弄斷;分開;(尤指)切斷;割斷=cut
Analysts say that the arms sale may provoke a strong reaction in Beijing and cause it to flex its military muscle again.
分析人士說，這次美對台軍售可能會激起北京強烈反彈，使其再次展示武力。
provoke(v.)激起;引起(尤指負面反應)、激怒;挑釁flex its muscle(s) (透過軍事、政治或經濟實力向對手)展現、顯示實力
Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense reported that two Chinese anti-submarine aircraft were spotted between Taiwan’s south-west coast and Pratas, where Beijing had held an air-and-naval drill lasting two days.
上週三國防部報告，在台灣西南沿海與東沙島之間空域偵測到兩架中國反潛巡邏機，之前北京也曾在同一區域舉行為期兩天的海空演習。
naval(adj.)海軍的naval forces海軍a naval battle海戰drill(n.)(軍事)演習、演練=a military exercise