BBC: World reacts to Trump's tariffs-2

Our next headline is about this. This comes from the independence in the UK as China and the US spa countries brainstorm over how to cope with the trade war. 

And that headline, again, as China ahd the US spa countries brainstorm over how to cope with the trade war. 

And that's from the independent in the UK. Countries brainstorm. That means they're coming up with ideas for how to handle the trade war, but we are looking at the word spa China and the US spa, Georgie, what can you tell us?

Well, this verb comes from boxing. It's when two boxes make the action of a punch without hitting the opponent that hard. It's common in training. You don't want to punch or be punched hard too many times when you're training. 

Right. But the presidents of the US and China aren't in a literal boxing ring, are they? No. In the headline China and US spa, it's more of a metaphorical meaning. 

Yeah, that's right. They're throwing metaphorical punches by imposing tariffs on each other. Neither of them seem to want to back down. 

And spa can also mean to argue with someone without much aggression. So for example, my parents always spar with each other over who is better at cooking. 

We've had spa argue. 

For example, those two always spa at meetings. They have very different ideas when it comes to business, even though they're actually good friends. 

Now White House officials have asked for patience and offer explanations, which are sometimes contradictory about the strategy behind Trump's tariff policy. 

Yes, it's unclear whether Trump is introducing tariffs to raise revenue and protect American industry, or if the tariffs are a negotiating tool, a way of getting countries to do things that he wants them to do. 

Let's have our next headline. This is from the B, B, C. Trump's game of chicken over tariffs, leaves world guessing. 

And again, that headline from the BB,C. Trump's Game of Chicken over Tariffs, leaves, world Guessing. 

So the world is left guessing, there is uncertain about what Trump's strategy is and why he's doing all this. 

Yes. Um, and we are looking at this phrase, game of chicken. Now, Georgie, we know what a chicken is, the animal. Uh, and if I call you a chicken, it means that you are scared. Um, so what is this game of chicken?

Well, let's imagine a literal game of chicken first. So imagine you're crossing the road and a car is coming quite quickly towards you. What's going to happen? Are you going to move out of the way, or is the car going to stop? That's the game of chicken. 

Yes. So a game of chicken is about remaining calm and strong and hoping that your opponent will back down first in the face of danger. Back down means surrender or give up.

Yes. So a game of chicken is about remaining calm and strong and hoping that your opponent will back down first in the face of danger. Back down means surrender or give up.

Yes. And in the headline Game of Chicken has more of a metaphorical meaning. So Trump and his opponents aren't facing any physical danger, but some say they're playing games with the global economy. A more abstract danger. 

Yes, Trump's policy is causing big disruptions, but in his game of chicken, he is not backing down. His, hoping his tariffs will push other countries to do what he wants. 

We've had Game of Chicken, a situation where two people do something risky to see who will back down first. 

For example, the companies are locked in a game of chicken over who's going to lower their prices first. 

And that's it for this episode of Learning English from the News. We'll be back next week with another news story. 

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