America’s economic recovery remains uncomfortably weak. The latest data show industrial production falling while the trade deficit soars to record levels. To round off a dismal week for economic statistics, the Fed (美联储) announced that industrial production fell by 0.2% in December compared with the previous month. That came as a disappointment to economists who had been expecting a small rise. Monthly data are always unreliable, of course; there is always a plausible explanation for unexpectedly bad(or good) news. But nearly all recent economic statistics point to the same conclusion—that America’s recovery remains sluggish and erratic. It could put pressure on the Fed to consider cutting interest rates again when its policymaking committee meets at the end of the month.
The biggest obstacle to healthier economic performance, though, is political. As the Fed’s chairman, Alan Greens
A. It can stimulate investment in new plant and equipment.
B. It can reduce interest rates so as to stimulate weak economic activity.
C. The Fed tries to keep inflation low.
D. The former President Bush can offer appropriate monetary policy.
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