International oil prices trade close to seven-year high
国际油价接近七年高点
Oil prices traded within striking distance of a seven-year high on Monday, threatening to drive global inflation up further as supply remained constrained and fears of another pandemic-induced slowdown in demand faded.
油价周一接近七年高点，有可能进一步推高全球通胀。目前石油供应仍然受到制约，而对新冠疫情再度引发需求放缓的担忧消退了。
Brent, the international benchmark, has climbed more than 10 per cent in the first two weeks of the year to as much as $86.71 a barrel, exceeding last October’s high, to approach levels not seen since 2014 when oil topped $115.
国际油价基准布伦特原油(Brent)在今年头两周上涨逾10%，至每桶86.71美元，超过去年10月的高点，接近2014年油价触及115美元峰值以来未见的高位。
US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate has risen more than 12 per cent since the start of year to a high of $84.78, just under last year’s peak. Some analysts are forecasting that the crude benchmarks will trade at more than $100 a barrel again this year unless there is a significant increase in supply.
自年初以来，美国油价基准西得克萨斯中质油(WTI)上涨逾12%，至每桶84.78美元，略低于去年的峰值。一些分析师预测，除非供应显著增加，否则基准油价今年将再度涨至每桶100美元上方。
