Passage 2
America’s trade deficit has rocketed to a record high, provoking squeals from companies and politicians alike. There is even talk among officials of reviving the unilateral battering ram(杀手锏) known as “Super 301”, the cause of much trade friction in the past. Since protectionism is on the up even in an American boom, the rest of the world could be in for a mauling(伤害) when that economy eventually slows. Other countries are also becoming more protectionist. Following the American lead, European and Canadian steel makers have launched a barrage of “anti-dumping” cases against imports they deem too cheap. Anti-dumping suits are also proliferating in Asia and Latin America. Brazil, Russia and China have all recently tightened their import controls.
What can be done to limit the damage? For a start, rather than undermining the WTO, America and Europe should collaborate to improve its working. They should also keep their markets open to imports. Do not look on this as an act of charity. True, trade world help drag Asia and Latin America out of dumps, but the biggest beneficiaries would be American and European consumers—and, loath(勉强的) though the unions are to believe it, jobs on both continents，To argue this takes political backbone, which has been lacking in America and Europe of late. All the more reason for America and Europe to support a new round of trade-liberalization talks at the WTO.
50.According to the author, the biggest beneficiaries would be consumers in the United States.