Trump’s tariffs: BBC Learning English from the News

Summary

In this episode of Learning English from the News, hosts Beth and Neil explore the recent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. They explain key terms such as 'tit for tat,' 'follow through,' and 'bearing fruit,' all in the context of international trade and politics. Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports and his threat of additional tariffs on Canada and Mexico are discussed, alongside how these measures are affecting global trade relations. The episode also highlights the results of these actions, including agreements with neighboring countries and the broader impact on the global economy.

Takeaways

• 😀 US President Donald Trump has started imposing tariffs on Chinese imports to the USA as a response to economic tensions between the two countries.
• 😀 Tariffs increase the price of imported goods, which are often passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
• 😀 In retaliation, China has announced tariffs on some American goods, making it a 'tit-for-tat' response.
• 😀 'Tit for tat' refers to an action done in retaliation, often to punish someone for their actions.
• 😀 Donald Trump made a campaign promise to impose tariffs, and now he is following through on that promise.
• 😀 To 'follow through on' means to complete an action or promise that was previously made.
• 😀 Trump has also threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, though these have been delayed for 30 days.
• 😀 The threat of tariffs has had a measurable impact, as countries like Canada and Mexico have agreed to tougher border security measures.
• 😀 'Bearing fruit' means producing successful or positive results, as seen with Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
• 😀 The verb 'bear' is irregular, with the past tense being 'bore' and the past participle 'borne'.
• 😀 Similar to 'bearing fruit', the phrase 'pay off' also refers to achieving successful results from efforts, like Trump's tariffs on neighboring countries.

Q & A

What are tariffs and how do they affect consumers?

Tariffs are taxes imposed on imports, making them more expensive. This cost is often passed on to consumers, who end up paying more for imported goods.

Why did Donald Trump impose tariffs on Chinese imports?

Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports as a response to the economic situation between the US and China, and to address issues like drug trafficking, which he partly blames on China.

What does the term 'tit-for-tat' mean in the context of the tariff dispute?

'Tit-for-tat' refers to retaliation. In this case, China imposed tariffs on US goods in response to the tariffs that the US imposed on Chinese goods.

Can you give an example of 'tit-for-tat' from everyday life?

An example of 'tit-for-tat' could be if someone ate the last biscuit, and in retaliation, you eat their piece of cake.

What does it mean to 'follow through on a promise'?

To 'follow through on a promise' means to fulfill the commitment or action that was promised, continuing until it's completed.

How is the phrase 'follow through' used in the context of Trump's tariff policy?

Trump is following through on his election campaign promise to impose tariffs on other countries. He is executing what he promised during his campaign.

What does the phrase 'bearing fruit' mean in relation to Trump's tariffs?

'Bearing fruit' means producing successful results. In the context of Trump's tariffs, it refers to the positive outcomes he desired, such as Mexico and Canada agreeing to stricter border security.

How is the expression 'bear fruit' related to the verb 'bear'?

'Bear' is an irregular verb, with 'bore' as the past tense and 'borne' as the past participle. For example, 'practicing for interviews bore fruit, and she got the job.'

What is the difference between 'bearing fruit' and 'paying off'?

'Bearing fruit' and 'paying off' both refer to achieving successful results. 'Paying off' is often used in the context of efforts or investments that yield a positive outcome, similar to 'bearing fruit.'

What new series does BBC Learning English offer for learning English from music?

BBC Learning English offers a new series called 'My Song, My Home,' where listeners can learn about different places and cultures through people's songs.