Since the beginning of the year 2001, the most serious economic slowdown in 20 years has occurred in most areas of the world. The leading economic powers, including the United States, European Union countries and Japan, have shown signs of economic recession. The September 11 attack quickened the pace of the US economic slowdown, which will certainly produce an impact upon world economy. The picture on the right shows that the United States has entered the 10th economic slowdown period since World War Ⅱ.

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     从2001年初开始，世界多数地区都发生了严重的经济衰退。包括美国、欧盟国家和日本在内的主要经济大国都显示出经济衰退的迹象。9·11袭击事件加快了美国经济衰退的步伐，这无疑将会冲击世界经济。右图说明美国进入二战后第10次经济衰退期。