Britain Carries Out Test to Predict Effects of EU Withdrawal
英國進行測試預測脫歐影響
Britain is studying how its roads and shipping could be affected if the country leaves the European Union (EU) without an agreement between the two sides.
英國正在研究如果該國在雙方未達成協(xié)議的情況下脫離歐盟,其道路和航運將會如何受到影響。
The study, which began Monday, is meant to show possible traffic problems if the country leaves the EU on March 29. That is when a new British law is set to go into effect. It would require Britain to cancel its EU membership, even if the government is not finished negotiating an exit agreement.
這項始于周一的研究旨在揭露如果該國于3月29日脫離歐盟可能會出現(xiàn)的交通問題,屆時一項新的英國法律將會生效,它會要求英國注銷其歐盟成員國身份,即使政府尚未完成脫歐協(xié)議的談判。
Prime Minister Theresa May is attempting to win parliamentary approval of an EU exit agreement to avoid the automatic exit. But British lawmakers are expected to reject the deal. A vote on the measure is set for next week.
英國首相特蕾莎·梅(Theresa May)正在試圖獲得議會批準一項脫歐協(xié)議,以避免自動脫歐。但是預計英國議員將會否決這項協(xié)議。針對這項措施的投票定于下周舉行。
Almost 100 trucks took part in the first day of testing. The trucks traveled about 30 kilometers from a closed airport to the port of Dover, in southeastern England.
近100輛卡車參與了首日的測試。這些卡車從一家未開放機場行駛了大約30公里,到達英格蘭東南部的多佛港。
May's government has repeatedly warned that an automatic exit from the EU, without an agreement, would cause severe economic problems. It is widely believed that a "no-deal" exit would lead to new taxes and customs barriers in Britain. This would likely slow Britain's transportation links to the rest of Europe.
梅政府一再警告說,無協(xié)議自動脫歐將會導致嚴重的經濟問題。人們普遍認為,無協(xié)議硬脫歐將會導致英國出現(xiàn)新的稅收和關稅壁壘,這可能會減緩英國與歐洲其它地區(qū)的交通聯(lián)系。
Transportation experts have predicted major traffic problems leading into and out of ports like Dover. Such problems could also lead to shortages of food and medicine.
交通運輸專家預測,像進出多佛港這樣的港口將會出現(xiàn)嚴重的交通問題。這類問題也可能會導致食品和藥品短缺。
Some British lawmakers have criticized the tests as a waste of time and money. Britain's Road Haulage Association has described the tests as "too little, too late". The group suggested holding additional transport exercises that are much bigger.
一些英國議員批評測試是浪費時間和金錢。英國道路運輸協(xié)會稱測試“規(guī)模太小,時機太晚。”該組織建議額外舉行更大規(guī)模的運輸演習。
Charlie Elphicke is a Conservative Party lawmaker from Dover. He told the Reuters news agency that he believes any tests need to be much larger to effectively measure possible effects on transportation.
查理·埃爾菲克(Charlie Elphicke)是來自多佛的一位保守黨議員。他對路透社表示,他認為需要加大測試才能有效衡量對交通的影響。
"Less than a hundred lorries is a drop in the ocean compared to the more than 10,000 that go to the channel ports every day," he said.
他說:“不到一百輛貨車與每天開往海峽港口的一萬多輛貨車相比就是九牛一毛。”
Supporters of Britain's exit from the EU have admitted the split would lead to some economic disruption in the beginning. But they believe that such effects would only be short term. In the long run, they expect Britain to gain new economic and political strength outside of the EU.
英國脫歐支持者承認,這種分裂最初將會導致一些經濟動蕩,但他們認為這種影響只是暫時性的。他們預計從長遠來看,英國會在歐盟以外獲得新的經濟和政治實力。
Groups opposed to Britain's withdrawal say it will isolate the country too much from Europe and will hurt the economy.
反對英國脫歐的組織表示,他們認為這會讓英國從歐洲過于孤立,并會傷害到經濟。
I'm Caty Weaver.
凱蒂·韋弗報道。
Britain is studying how its roads and shipping could be affected if the country leaves the European Union (EU) without an agreement between the two sides.
The study, which began Monday, is meant to show possible traffic problems if the country leaves the EU on March 29. That is when a new British law is set to go into effect. It would require Britain to cancel its EU membership, even if the government is not finished negotiating an exit agreement.
Prime Minister Theresa May is attempting to win parliamentary approval of an EU exit agreement to avoid the automatic exit. But British lawmakers are expected to reject the deal. A vote on the measure is set for next week.
Almost 100 trucks took part in the first day of testing. The trucks traveled about 30 kilometers from a closed airport to the port of Dover, in southeastern England.
May’s government has repeatedly warned that an automatic exit from the EU, without an agreement, would cause severe economic problems. It is widely believed that a “no-deal” exit would lead to new taxes and customs barriers in Britain. This would likely slow Britain’s transportation links to the rest of Europe.
Transportation experts have predicted major traffic problems leading into and out of ports like Dover. Such problems could also lead to shortages of food and medicine.
Some British lawmakers have criticized the tests as a waste of time and money. Britain’s Road Haulage Association has described the tests as “too little, too late”. The group suggested holding additional transport exercises that are much bigger.
Charlie Elphicke is a Conservative Party lawmaker from Dover. He told the Reuters news agency that he believes any tests need to be much larger to effectively measure possible effects on transportation.
“Less than a hundred lorries is a drop in the ocean compared to the more than 10,000 that go to the channel ports every day,” he said.
Supporters of Britain’s exit from the EU have admitted the split would lead to some economic disruption in the beginning. But they believe that such effects would only be short term. In the long run, they expect Britain to gain new economic and political strength outside of the EU.
Groups opposed to Britain’s withdrawal say it will isolate the country too much from Europe and will hurt the economy.
I’m Caty Weaver.
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Words in This Story
automatic – adj. working by itself or with little human control
lorry – n. large road vehicle for transporting goods
disruption – n. interference into or stopping something
isolate – v. separate someone or something from other people or things