與外商進行商務談判時大多用英語進行，所以這個時候我們要注意避免跨國文化交流產生的歧義，交談時儘量用簡單、清楚、明確的英語，不說易引起對方反感的話語，如下列這些詞語中就帶有不信任色彩，可能會客戶不願積極與我們合作。 “to tell you the truth”，“I’ll be honest with you…”，“I will do my best.”“it’s none of my business but…”。
為了避免誤會，我們可用釋義法確保溝通順利進行。如，“we would accept price if you could modify your specifications.”我們還可以說：“If i understand you correctly,what you are really saying is that you agree to accept our price if we improve our product as you request.”
最後，為確保溝通順利的另一個方法是在談判結束前作一個小結，把到現在為止達成的協議重述一遍並要求對方予以認可。另外在商務談判還應注意下列問題：
1、“會聽”
要儘量鼓勵對方多說，向對方說：“yes”，“please go on”，並提問題請對方回答，使對方多談他們的情況。
2、巧提問題
用開放式的問題來了解進口商的需求，使進口商自由暢談。“can you tell me more about your campany?”“what do you think of our proposal?”
對外商的回答，把重點和關鍵問題記下來以備後用。進口商常常會問：“can not you do better than that?”對此不要讓步，而應反問：“what is meant by better?”或“better than what?”使進口商說明他們究竟在哪些方面不滿意。進口商：“your competitor is offering better terms.”
3、使用條件問句
用更具試探性的.條件問句進一步瞭解對方的具體情況，以修改我們的發盤。典型的條件問句有“what…if”，和“if…then”這兩個句型。如： “what would you do if we agree to a two-year contract ?”If we modif your specifications, would you consider a larger order?”
(1)互作讓步。只有當對方接受我方條件時，我方的發盤才成立。
(2)獲取資訊。
(3)尋求共同點。如果對方拒絕，可以另換其它條件，作出新的發盤。
(4)代替“no”。“would you be willing to meet the extra cost if we meet your additional requirements?”如果對方不願支付額外費用，就拒絕了自己的要求，不會因此而失去對方的合作。
(一) It is a condition of this letter that the name of this Bank will not be disclosed in the event of our report being passed on to your clients.
譯文：本函有一個條件，即在把我們的報告轉交你們的客戶時，請勿洩露本行的名稱。
這段話是出自銀行對某項諮詢的回覆信函。此類覆信一般包括三部分:
1)陳述實事;
2)表示意見;
3)提醒對方所提供的資料是絕密及不負責任的。上面的句子屬於第三部分。
本句中的it是形式主語，其主語是that……從句。
pass on?hand or give sth to sb else to others?傳遞;轉交
Example?We will pass on your decision to the buyer.
其他表達方式：
se note that this information is furnished without any responsibility on our part and should be held strictly confidential.
se note that the information is furnished at your request without any responsibility whatsoever on the part of this Bank or on any of its officers.
we ask that you treat this information as strictly confidential without responsibility on our part.
(二)Should you be prepared to reduce your limit by say 10% we might come to terms.
譯文：如果你方願意減價，譬如說減10%，也許能達成交易。
這句話是在討價還價中常用到的句子。在雙方的談判中，價格是一個很重要的環節，婉轉地提出自己的意見可以使自己處於主動地位。
say 10%是let us say 10%的簡化。
be prepared to……準備做……事
Example?We are not prepared to change the terms.
limit n.限度(在外貿業務中有時用來指價格，即價格限度)
Example:Your limit is too high to permit business.
come to terms達成交易。類似說法有come to business close a bargain close a deal等等。