世贸组织，Roberto Azevêdo未来继任者一瞥（part-2）
The World Trade Organisation: Trading places
---A memo to Roberto Azevêdo’s prospective successor
You will discover that the WTO would be a marvellous institution were it not for its members. The poor ones want exemptions from rules that have not yet been written. The rich ones are loth to make the concessions needed to get anything done. Some of America’s lawmakers want to withdraw from the organisation (a “relic”) altogether. You might find yourself wishing they just got on with it. But their heft makes them useful, when they choose to be.
Marvellous: /ˈmɑːvələs/ extremely good; wonderful 极好的；非凡的
• This will be a marvellous opportunity for her. 这对她可是千载难逢的机会呀。
• The weather was marvellous. 天气棒极了。
exemption /ɪɡˈzempʃn/ 1.~ (from sth) official permission not to do sth or pay sth that you would normally have to do or pay 免除；豁免
•She was given exemption from the final examination. 她已获准期末免试。
2.[ C ] a part of your income that you do not have to pay tax on （指部分收入）免税
•a tax exemption on money donated to charity 给慈善机构的捐款免税
loth/ləʊθ/=loath ~ to do sth ( formal ) not willing to do sth 不情愿；不乐意；勉强
• He was loath to admit his mistake. 他不愿承认自己的错误。
concession/kənˈseʃn/ something that you allow or do, or allow sb to have, in order to end an argument or to make a situation less difficult 让步；妥协
•The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
•to win a concession from sb 取得某人的让步 •a major/an important concession 重大的让步
2.[ U ] the act of giving sth or allowing sth; the act of conceding 承认；给予；许可；让步
•the concession of university status to some colleges 对某些学院升为大学的许可
heft/heft/ hefting--hefted--hefts 1.V-T If you heft something, you lift it upward. 举起
• He hefted the heavy camera up onto his shoulder. 他把重重的相机扛到了自己的肩上。
2.N-UNCOUNT The heft of something is its weight or bulk. 重量; 体积
3.N-UNCOUNT If something such as an idea or argument has heft, it has the power to influence or impress people. (观点、辩论等的)分量; 影响力; 重要性
Be cautious, like Mr Azevêdo, and you will be accused of getting too little done. Be ambitious, and, like his predecessor Pascal Lamy, you will be attacked for alienating members—and also for getting too little done. Best to expand your definition of success to include vaguely worded joint statements calling for free and fair trade.
be accused of :被指控 predecessor /ˈpriːdəsesə(r)/ 前任，前一代
alienate /ˈeɪliəneɪt/ to make sb less friendly or sympathetic towards you 使疏远；使不友好；离间
•His comments have alienated a lot of young voters. 他的言论使许多年轻选民离他而去。
2. ~ sb (from sth/sb) to make sb feel that they do not belong in a particular group 使（与某群体）格格不入；使疏远
vaguely /ˈveɪɡli/ ：含糊的，略微，稍微，心不在焉的 Worded /ˈwɜːdɪd/：措辞，用言语表达
free and fair trade：自由公平贸易 目前为止这篇文章都比较尖锐，此处说世贸组织位置尴尬，事情干不了，智能在文字上下下功夫，写一些模糊的宣言。
To become a candidate, a member must put you forward before July 8th. The winner must be agreeable to America, Europe and China. If such a person even exists, it probably won’t be one of their own. Perhaps that clears the way for the first African boss. Names being floated include Amina Mohamed, Kenya’s former WTO ambassador, and Yonov Frederick Agah, a Nigerian and Mr Azevêdo’s deputy.
be agreeable to：被···认同 文章指WTO的继任者需要被美国、欧洲、中国都认可
The Americans and the Europeans say they want to arrange a speedy replacement for Mr Azevêdo, who leaves on August 31st. But if the WTO’s past trade rounds are a guide, resolution won’t be swift. Many members will stall, in case Donald Trump loses America’s presidential election.
Prepare to wait for months, even years.
A quick approval, against those odds, could mean that members want to save the institution. Or it could mean that you are bland enough that no one could rouse themselves to object to your appointment: a sorry form of comparative advantage.
bland /blænd/ 1.with little colour, excitement or interest; without anything to attract attention 平淡的；乏味的 bland background music 毫无情调的背景音乐 2.not having a strong or interesting taste 清淡的；无滋味的a rather bland diet of soup, fish and bread 一个淡而无味的汤、鱼加面包的食谱 3.showing no strong emotions or excitement; not saying anything very interesting 沉稳的；无动于衷的；讲话枯燥的
原文：经济学人·商论6月刊
