Dialogue 2
A: I believe you’ve studied our proposal for fertilizers.
B: Yes, Mr. Smith. And we’re very much interested.
A: It’s almost twenty years since we first supplied you with ourproducts in 1984. To our regret, for one reason or another, business between us has failed to develop. I hope we’ll succeed in concluding some business this time.
B: As we’ve repeatedly stated, US does business on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and exchange of needed goods. If these principles are adhered to, I’m certain that mutually beneficial business will result.
-- 我相信你们已经仔细研究过了我们的肥料报盘。
-- 是的，史密斯先生，我们对此很感兴趣。
-- 我们于1984年首次向你方供应产品至今差不多已有20年之久。由于种种原因，我们之间的业务未能继续下去，对此我们感到很遗 憾。希望我们这次能达成一些交易。
-- 我们一再说明，美国是在平等互利、互通有无的基础上进行贸易 的。若遵循了这些原则，我确信能够达成对双方都有利的交易。
A: May we hear your comments on your products?
B: We find the quality of your samples well up to standard and suitable for our requirements. On the other hand, we’re received offers for higher quality products. So business depends very much on your prices.
A: Taking everything into consideration, you’ll find that our prices compare favorably with the quotations you can get elsewhere.
B: I’m not sure of that. Before coming to the discussion of price, may I point out that we would like to have you quote us on a F. O.B. basis?
A: I don’t quite understand. For bulk goods such as chemical fertilizers, it’s the sellers who arrange the shipping space. It is more convenient for us, as well as for you.
B: Well, we prefer to have the US National Chartering Corporation take care of the shipping. It doesn’t make a difference to you, does it?
A: Well, it does make a slight difference, but we’ll do as you request.
-- 请对我们的产品提提意见好吗?
-- 我们认为你们的样品质量符合标准而且适合我们的需要，但是另一 方面，我们已收到高档货的报盘，所以业务能否成交在很大程度上 要看你方的价格。
-- 如果把各种因素都加以考虑，你就会发现我们的价格比别处报的要 便宜。
-- 这点我不敢肯定，在谈判价格之前，我想提出，我们希望你方报船 上交货的价格，行吗?
-- 我不大明白，象化肥这一类的大宗货得由卖方安排舱位。这对你我 都方便。
-- 喔，我们宁愿由美国租船公司去负责装船。这对你方没有多大 区别，对不对?
-- 喔，稍稍有点区别，但我们可以照你的意见办。