Breaking News English Lesson: Trade War

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Fears over USA-China trade war (25th March, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Trade War - Level 3

The world is waiting to see if a trade war breaks out between the USA and China. Stock markets in Asia did badly in Friday's trading because investors are worried about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to hit Chinese companies with trade tariffs. A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods and services coming in from other countries. President Trump has warned China he will issue tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese imports. China said it would issue its own tariffs in reply to Mr Trump. Tokyo's Nikkei share index fell by more than 4 per cent on Friday, Shanghai's market was down more than 3 per cent, and stocks and shares in Seoul fell by 3 per cent. There was also a fall on New York's Wall Street stock exchange.

Experts on world trade are worried that the import tariffs could be the start of a global trade war. Trade researcher Robert Carnell said: "If the tariffs go ahead as planned, then we believe China will retaliate. It is impossible to imagine that they cannot. And then we expect the U.S. to retaliate further. This can turn ugly on a global scale very quickly." President Trump says he wants to protect U.S. workers and companies. Mr Trump is not happy with the trade imbalance between the USA and China. Experts believe that the USA buys $385 billion more goods from China than China buys from the USA. Trump wants to try and reduce this imbalance by at least $100 billion with his tariffs.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Trade War - Level 0, Trade War - Level 1 or Trade War - Level 2

Sources

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-markets-slump-as-fears-of-trade-war-mount/2018/03/23/f641e906-2e0b-11e8-8dc9-3b51e028b845_story.html
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/asian-markets-plunge-wall-street-trump-sparks-trade-020817042--finance.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-43510802

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. TRADE WAR: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about trade war. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
waiting / trade / war / tariffs / goods / services / imports / shares / stock exchange /
experts / researcher / planned / retaliate / ugly / global / imbalance / China / USA
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO WINNERS: Students A strongly believe there are no winners in a trade war; Students B strongly believe there are. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. WARS: Why are countries fighting over these things? How can we stop them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Why? What? Why?	How Can We Stop Them?
Trade
Religion
Water
Drugs
The Internet
Land

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. MARKET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "market". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CHINESE GOODS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best Chinese goods at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Chopsticks
Silk
Jade
Dresses
Tea sets
Ceramics
Fans
Electronics

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	breaks out	a.	A tax on a particular class of imports.
2.	trading	b.	Starts (especially a fight, war, etc.).
3.	investors	c.	People or companies who put money into financial schemes, property, etc. to try and make a profit (more money).
4.	tariffs	d.	Give out.
5.	goods	e.	The shares of a particular company, type of company, or industry.
6.	issue	f.	The action of buying and selling goods and services.
7.	stocks	g.	Things that are sold.

Paragraph 2

8.	experts	h.	Think will happen.
9.	import	i.	When two things are not equal.
10.	retaliate	j.	Keep safe from harm or danger.
11.	expect	k.	Hit back in return for an attack on you.
12.	further	l.	Additional to what already exists or has already taken place, been done.
13.	protect	m.	A person who has a lot of knowledge of or skill in a particular area.
14.	imbalance	n.	Things, goods and services brought into a country from another country.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

Asian stock markets recovered well on Friday. T / F
The article said investors are worried about China's actions. T / F
A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods from other countries. T / F
Shanghai's stock market fell by over 4% on Friday. T / F
An expert on world trade said China would not retaliate against the US. T / F
The expert said a trade war could quickly get ugly. T / F
Donald Trump is unhappy that the US imports so much from China. T / F
Mr Trump wants to cut the trade imbalance with China by $100bn. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

breaks out
did
worried
reply
fell
start
retaliate
protect
quickly
at least

response
safeguard
beginning
performed
not less than
dropped
starts
rapidly
concerned
fight back

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

waiting to see if a trade war breaks
plans to hit Chinese companies
issue tariffs on up to $60 billion
stocks and shares
New York's Wall Street stock
we believe China will
And then we expect the U.S. to retaliate
This can turn
the trade imbalance between
reduce this imbalance by at

in Seoul fell by 3%
ugly
exchange
further
the USA and China
with trade tariffs
least $100 billion
out
retaliate
of Chinese imports

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

issue
badly
shares
breaks
exchange
imports
hit
index

The world is waiting to see if a trade war (1) ______ out between the USA and China. Stock markets in Asia did (2) ______ in Friday's trading because investors are worried about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to (3) ______ Chinese companies with trade tariffs. A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods and services coming in from other countries. President Trump has warned China he will (4) ______ tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese (5) ______. China said it would issue its own tariffs in reply to Mr Trump. Tokyo's Nikkei share (6) ______ fell by more than 4 per cent on Friday, Shanghai's market was down more than 3 per cent, and stocks and (7) ______ in Seoul fell by 3 per cent. There was also a fall on New York's Wall Street stock (8) ______.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

tariffs
retaliate
imbalance
start
reduce
ahead
protect
ugly

Experts on world trade are worried that the import tariffs could be the (9) ______ of a global trade war. Trade researcher Robert Carnell said: "If the tariffs go (10) ______ as planned, then we believe China will retaliate. It is impossible to imagine that they cannot. And then we expect the U.S. to (11) ______ further. This can turn (12) ______ on a global scale very quickly." President Trump says he wants to (13) ______ U.S. workers and companies. Mr Trump is not happy with the trade (14) ______ between the USA and China. Experts believe that the USA buys $385 billion more goods from China than China buys from the USA. Trump wants to try and (15) ______ this imbalance by at least $100 billion with his (16) ______.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The world is waiting to see if a trade war ______
     a. break shout
     b. breaks in
     c. breaks out
     d. breaks up
2) A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods ______
     a. end services
     b. in services
     c. sand services
     d. and services
3) China said it would issue its own tariffs ______ Mr Trump
     a. on reply to
     b. in reply to
     c. up reply to
     d. non-reply to
4) Tokyo's Nikkei share index fell by more than ______ on Friday
     a. 4.4 per cent
     b. 4 per cent
     c. 0.4 per cent
     d. 0.44 per cent
5) There was also a fall on New York's Wall Street ______
     a. stock exchange
     b. stock in change
     c. stock exchanged
     d. stock ex-changer

6) Experts on world trade are worried that the import tariffs could ______
     a. been the starting
     b. be the start
     c. being the start
     d. be the starts
7) If the tariffs go ahead as planned, then we believe China ______
     a. will repatriate
     b. will retaliation
     c. will retaliate
     d. will retaliates
8) And then we expect the U.S. to retaliate further. This ______
     a. can turns ugly
     b. can turned ugly
     c. can turn ugly
     d. can turning ugly
9) Mr Trump is not happy with the ______
     a. trade in balance
     b. trading balance
     c. trading in balance
     d. trade imbalance
10) Trump wants to try and reduce this imbalance ______ $100 billion
     a. by at lost
     b. by at least
     c. by at lest
     d. by at last

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The world is (1) ___________________ if a trade war breaks out between the USA and China. Stock markets in Asia (2) ___________________ Friday's trading because investors are worried about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to hit Chinese companies (3) ___________________. A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods and services coming in from other countries. President Trump has warned China he will issue tariffs (4) ___________________ $60 billion of Chinese imports. China said it would issue its own tariffs in reply to Mr Trump. Tokyo's Nikkei (5) ___________________ by more than 4 per cent on Friday, Shanghai's market was down more than 3 per cent, and stocks and shares in Seoul fell by 3 per cent. There was (6) ___________________ on New York's Wall Street stock exchange.

Experts on world trade (7) ___________________ the import tariffs could be the start of a global trade war. Trade researcher Robert Carnell said: "If the tariffs go (8) ___________________, then we believe China will retaliate. It is impossible to imagine that they cannot. And then (9) ___________________ U.S. to retaliate further. This can (10) ___________________ a global scale very quickly." President Trump says he (11) ___________________ U.S. workers and companies. Mr Trump is not happy with the trade imbalance between the USA and China. Experts believe that the USA buys $385 billion more goods from China than China buys from the USA. Trump wants to try and reduce this imbalance (12) ___________________ $100 billion with his tariffs.

Comprehension questions

How did stock markets do in Asia on Friday?
What is the name of a tax put on imports?
What is the value of Chinese goods Mr Trump wants to put tariffs on?
By how much did the Nikkei fall on Friday?
In which non-Asian stock market was there a fall in share prices?
What does Robert Carnell believe China will do if the US uses tariffs?
How did a researcher say things could turn?
Who does President Trump want to protect?
What is the value of the trade imbalance between the USA and China?
By how much does President Trump want to reduce the trade imbalance?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How did stock markets do in Asia on Friday?
a) disastrously
b) OK
c) brilliantly
d) badly
2) What is the name of a tax put on imports?
a) charge
b) tariff
c) levy
d) Bob
3) What is the value of Chinese goods Mr Trump wants to put tariffs on?
a) around $60 billion
b) exactly $60 billion
c) over $60 billion
d) up to $60 billion
4) By how much did the Nikkei fall on Friday?
a) 0.4%
b) just less than 4%
c) over 4%
d) exactly 4%
5) In which non-Asian stock market was there a fall in share prices?
a) The Paris DAX
b) London's Stock Exchange
c) Dubai's stock market
d) New York's Wall Street exchange

6) What does Robert Carnell believe China will do if the US uses tariffs?
a) block U.S. goods
b) nothing
c) retaliate
d) laugh
7) How did a researcher say things could turn?
a) ugly
b) slowly
c) quickly
d) turn out nicely
8) Who does President Trump want to protect?
a) global investors
b) himself
c) U.S. workers
d) the people of the world
9) What is the value of the trade imbalance between the USA and China?
a) $358 billion
b) $385 billion
c) $835 billion
d) $583 billion
10) By how much does President Trump want to reduce the trade imbalance?
a) not less than $100 billion
b) 4% of $100 billion
c) not more than $100 billion
d) $100 billion a year

Role play

Role A – Tea Sets
You think tea sets are the best things China makes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): fans, silk dresses or electronics.

Role B – Fans
You think fans are the best things China makes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): tea sets, silk dresses or electronics.

Role C – Silk Dresses
You think silk dresses are the best things China makes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): fans, tea sets or electronics.

Role D – Electronics
You think electronics are the best things China makes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): fans, silk dresses or tea sets.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'trade'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'war'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

start

ahead

imagine

ugly

buys

least

waiting

investors

tax

reply

4

fall

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Fears over USA-China trade war

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'trade'?
What do you know about trade wars?
How serious would a trade war between the USA and China be?
How would a trade war affect you?
How good is your country at global trade?
What are your country's biggest exports?
What imported goods do you buy?
Why do countries want to put tariffs on goods?
What happens when stock market values fall?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'war'?
What do you think about what you read?
Why do countries have trade wars?
How do trade wars start?
How ugly could this trade war be?
Is President Trump right to protect U.S. workers?
Who would win a trade war between the USA and China?
Should China buy more from the USA?
What questions would you like to ask the leaders?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The world is waiting to (1) ____ if a trade war breaks out between the USA and China. Stock markets in Asia did (2) ____ in Friday's trading because investors are worried about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to (3) ____ Chinese companies with trade tariffs. A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods and services coming in from (4) ____ countries. President Trump has warned China he will issue tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese imports. China said it would issue its own tariffs (5) ____ reply to Mr Trump. Tokyo's Nikkei share index fell by more than 4 per cent on Friday, Shanghai's market was down more than 3 per cent, and stocks and (6) ____ in Seoul fell by 3 per cent. There was also a fall on New York's Wall Street stock exchange.

Experts on world trade are worried that the (7) ____ tariffs could be the start of a global trade war. Trade researcher Robert Carnell said: "If the tariffs (8) ____ ahead as planned, then we believe China will retaliate. It is impossible to imagine that they cannot. And then we (9) ____ the U.S. to retaliate further. This can turn (10) ____ on a global scale very quickly." President Trump says he wants to protect U.S. workers and companies. Mr Trump is not happy with the (11) ____ imbalance between the USA and China. Experts believe that the USA buys $385 billion more goods from China than China buys from the USA. Trump wants to try and reduce this imbalance by at (12) ____ $100 billion with his tariffs.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) see (b) seen (c) seeing (d) sees
(a) bad (b) bladder (c) badly (d) baldly
(a) whack (b) punch (c) hit (d) wallop
(a) the others (b) another (c) others (d) other
(a) at (b) of (c) in (d) up
(a) shapes (b) shares (c) shaves (d) shades
(a) report (b) import (c) port (d) sport
(a) come (b) go (c) do (d) take
(a) except (b) excerpt (c) expect (d) exact
(a) stunning (b) plain (c) pretty (d) ugly
(a) trad (b) tread (c) tirade (d) trade
(a) last (b) lost (c) lest (d) least

Spelling

Paragraph 1

nvsioters are worried
A ratiff is a tax
Chinese piromts
China said it would siuse its own
Tokyo's Nikkei share niedx
New York's Wall Street stock hceaxgne

Paragraph 2

perexts on world trade
the start of a lbogal trade war
we believe China will eiatalter
ptcetor U.S. workers
not happy with the trade aicamelnb
the USA buys $385 bniolil more goods

Put the text back together

(...) scale very quickly." President Trump says he wants to protect U.S. workers and companies. Mr Trump is not
(...) countries. President Trump has warned China he will issue tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese
(...) hit Chinese companies with trade tariffs. A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods and services coming in from other
( 1 ) The world is waiting to see if a trade war breaks out between the USA and China. Stock markets in Asia did
(...) retaliate. It is impossible to imagine that they cannot. And then we expect the U.S. to retaliate further. This can turn ugly on a global
(...) trade war. Trade researcher Robert Carnell said: "If the tariffs go ahead as planned, then we believe China will
(...) and shares in Seoul fell by 3 per cent. There was also a fall on New York's Wall Street stock exchange.
(...) Experts on world trade are worried that the import tariffs could be the start of a global
(...) USA buys $385 billion more goods from China than China buys from the USA. Trump
(...) imports. China said it would issue its own tariffs in reply to Mr Trump. Tokyo's Nikkei share index fell
(...) wants to try and reduce this imbalance by at least $100 billion with his tariffs.
(...) happy with the trade imbalance between the USA and China. Experts believe that the
(...) by more than 4 per cent on Friday, Shanghai's market was down more than 3 per cent, and stocks
(...) badly in Friday's trading because investors are worried about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to

Put the words in the right order

trade see if to war Waiting out . breaks a
tariffs . issue China warned has Trump will he
own reply . issue its tariffs in It would
market was 3% . Shanghai's than down more
Seoul by fell and Stocks 3% . in shares
Tariffs global could trade war . a start
U.S. We the retaliate further . to expect
on turn ugly global This a can scale .
not is Mr imbalance . Trump trade with happy the
try imbalance . and to wants Trump reduce this

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The world is waiting / waited to see if a trade war breaks up / out between the USA and China. Stock markets in Asia did bad / badly in Friday's trading because investors are worried around / about U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to hit Chinese companies at / with trade tariffs. A tariff is a tax a country puts on goods / good and services coming in from other countries. President Trump has warned China he will issue / tissue tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese imports. China said it would issue its own tariffs in / on reply to Mr Trump. Tokyo's Nikkei share index fell by more than 4 per cent on Friday, Shanghai's market was down most / more than 3 per cent, and stocks and shares in Seoul fell by 3 per cent. There was also a fall on New York's Wall Street stock change / exchange.

Experts on worldly / world trade are worried that the import tariffs could be the start for / of a global trade war. Trade researcher Robert Carnell said: "If the tariffs go / come ahead as planned, then we believe China will repatriate / retaliate. It is impossible to imagine that they cannot. And then we expect the U.S. to retaliate farther / further. This can turn ugly on a global / globally scale very quickly." President Trump says he wants to protect U.S. workers and companies. Mr Trump is not happy with the trade / traded imbalance between the USA and China. Expats / Experts believe that the USA buys $385 billion more goods from China that / than China buys from the USA. Trump wants to try and reduce / reduction this imbalance by at least $100 billion with his tariffs.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

T h_ w_r l d _s w__ t_n g t_ s__ _f _ t r_d_ w_r b r__ k s __ t b_t w__ n t h_ U S A _n d C h_n_. S t_c k m_r k_t s _n A s__ d_d b_d l y _n F r_d_y ' s t r_d_n g b_c__ s_ _n v_s t_r s _r_ w_r r__ d _b__ t U . S . P r_s_d_n t D_n_l d T r_m p ' s p l_n s t_ h_t C h_n_s_ c_m p_n__ s w_t h t r_d_ t_r_f f s . A t_r_f f _s _ t_x _ c__ n t r y p_t s _n g__ d s _n d s_r v_c_s c_m_n g _n f r_m _t h_r c__ n t r__ s . P r_s_d_n t T r_m p h_s w_r n_d C h_n_ h_ w_l l _s s__ t_r_f f s _n _p t_ $ 6 0 b_l l__ n _f C h_n_s_ _m p_r t s . C h_n_ s__ d _t w__ l d _s s__ _t s _w n t_r_f f s _n r_p l y t_ M r T r_m p . T_k y_' s N_k k__ s h_r_ _n d_x f_l l b y m_r_ t h_n 4 p_r c_n t _n F r_d_y , S h_n g h__ ' s m_r k_t w_s d_w n m_r_ t h_n 3 p_r c_n t , _n d s t_c k s _n d s h_r_s _n S___l f_l l b y 3 p_r c_n t . T h_r_ w_s _l s_ _ f_l l _n N_w Y_r k ' s W_l l S t r__ t s t_c k _x c h_n g_.

E x p_r t s _n w_r l d t r_d_ _r_ w_r r__ d t h_t t h_ _m p_r t t_r_f f s c__ l d b_ t h_ s t_r t _f _ g l_b_l t r_d_ w_r . T r_d_ r_s__ r c h_r R_b_r t C_r n_l l s__ d : " I f t h_ t_r_f f s g_ _h__ d _s p l_n n_d , t h_n w_ b_l__ v_ C h_n_ w_l l r_t_l__ t_. I t _s _m p_s s_b l_ t_ _m_g_n_ t h_t t h_y c_n n_t . A n d t h_n w_ _x p_c t t h_ U . S . t_ r_t_l__ t_ f_r t h_r . T h_s c_n t_r n _g l y _n _ g l_b_l s c_l_ v_r y q__ c k l y . " P r_s_d_n t T r_m p s_y s h_ w_n t s t_ p r_t_c t U . S . w_r k_r s _n d c_m p_n__ s . M r T r_m p _s n_t h_p p y w_t h t h_ t r_d_ _m b_l_n c_ b_t w__ n t h_ U S A _n d C h_n_. E x p_r t s b_l__ v_ t h_t t h_ U S A b_y s $ 3 8 5 b_l l__ n m_r_ g__ d s f r_m C h_n_ t h_n C h_n_ b_y s f r_m t h_ U S A . T r_m p w_n t s t_ t r y _n d r_d_c_ t h_s _m b_l_n c_ b y _t l__ s t $ 1 0 0 b_l l__ n w_t h h_s t_r_f f s .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the world is waiting to see if a trade war breaks out between the usa and china stock markets in asia did badly in fridays trading because investors are worried about us president donald trumps plans to hit chinese companies with trade tariffs a tariff is a tax a country puts on goods and services coming in from other countries president trump has warned china he will issue tariffs on up to 60 billion of chinese imports china said it would issue its own tariffs in reply to mr trump tokyos nikkei share index fell by more than 4 per cent on friday shanghais market was down more than 3 per cent and stocks and shares in seoul fell by 3 per cent there was also a fall on new yorks wall street stock exchange

experts on world trade are worried that the import tariffs could be the start of a global trade war trade researcher robert carnell said if the tariffs go ahead as planned then we believe china will retaliate it is impossible to imagine that they cannot and then we expect the us to retaliate further this can turn ugly on a global scale very quickly president trump says he wants to protect us workers and companies mr trump is not happy with the trade imbalance between the usa and china experts believe that the usa buys 385 billion more goods from china than china buys from the usa trump wants to try and reduce this imbalance by at least 100 billion with his tariffs

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheworldiswaitingtoseeifatradewarbreaksoutbetweentheUSAandC
hina.StockmarketsinAsiadidbadlyinFriday'stradingbecauseinvestor
sareworriedaboutU.S.PresidentDonaldTrump'splanstohitChineseco
mpanieswithtradetariffs.Atariffisataxacountryputsongoodsandservi
cescominginfromothercountries.PresidentTrumphaswarnedChinah
ewillissuetariffsonupto$60billionofChineseimports.Chinasaiditwoul
dissueitsowntariffsinreplytoMrTrump.Tokyo'sNikkeishareindexfellb
ymorethan4percentonFriday,Shanghai'smarketwasdownmorethan
3percent,andstocksandsharesinSeoulfellby3percent.Therewasalso
afallonNewYork'sWallStreetstockexchange.Expertsonworldtradear
eworriedthattheimporttariffscouldbethestartofaglobaltradewar.Tra
deresearcherRobertCarnellsaid:"Ifthetariffsgoaheadasplanned,the
nwebelieveChinawillretaliate.Itisimpossibletoimaginethattheycann
ot.AndthenweexpecttheU.S.toretaliatefurther.Thiscanturnuglyona
globalscaleveryquickly."PresidentTrumpsayshewantstoprotectU.S.
workersandcompanies.MrTrumpisnothappywiththetradeimbalance
betweentheUSAandChina.ExpertsbelievethattheUSAbuys$385billio
nmoregoodsfromChinathanChinabuysfromtheUSA.Trumpwantstotr
yandreducethisimbalancebyatleast$100billionwithhistariffs.

Free writing

Write about trade war for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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Academic writing

No one will win if there is a trade war. Discuss.

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Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. TRADE WAR: Make a poster about trade wars. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. WORLD TRADE: Write a magazine article about a world trade organization setting all the rules for world trade. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on trade wars. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how the USA and China can avoid a trade war. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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Breaking News English Lesson: Trade War

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