Reading Comprehension – Test 100

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the questions out of five alternatives. <br><br> US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross was in India this week to co-chair an India-US bilateral trade meeting. He used the opportunity to share the Trump administration's views on the current state of the bilateral trade relationship. It's now evident that the turbulence in the trade relationship is not on account of India's tariff rates on a few items of merchandise. It's more complicated. Ross feels there is an issue with India's "fundamental philosophy" which aims to favour domestic businesses over foreign ones. The playing field isn't level, he claims. In short, the US believes it faces significant non-tariff barriers.<br><br> Ties with the US matter greatly for both strategic and economic reasons. In 2018, bilateral trade in goods and services was $142 billion, a growth of 12.6% over the previous year. It's important therefore to put the issue in perspective. India's tariff regime is in sync with its obligations under WTO. Clearly, the US no longer believes that is enough. It seeks something tantamount to WTO-plus and uses bilateral measures to achieve it. Recently the US announced that it would withdraw benefits amounting to $5.6 billion, available to Indian exporters under the generalised system of preferences. This bargaining chip may come into play after the general election. <br><br> The next government has to strike a fine balance between protecting India's legitimate interests and mollifying an important partner. Among grievances highlighted by Ross are areas where India should make changes. To illustrate, it's difficult to see how the current e-commerce policy serves national interest as it inhibits full competition. Changes can be made here to build a fairer marketplace. Eventually India needs to enhance its export competitiveness. The last few years have seen a decline in export intensity of economic growth. Reversing it is the only durable solution to many challenges.

What is the main concern of the U.S. regarding trade relationship with India?

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the questions out of five alternatives. <br><br> US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross was in India this week to co-chair an India-US bilateral trade meeting. He used the opportunity to share the Trump administration's views on the current state of the bilateral trade relationship. It's now evident that the turbulence in the trade relationship is not on account of India's tariff rates on a few items of merchandise. It's more complicated. Ross feels there is an issue with India's "fundamental philosophy" which aims to favour domestic businesses over foreign ones. The playing field isn't level, he claims. In short, the US believes it faces significant non-tariff barriers.<br><br> Ties with the US matter greatly for both strategic and economic reasons. In 2018, bilateral trade in goods and services was $142 billion, a growth of 12.6% over the previous year. It's important therefore to put the issue in perspective. India's tariff regime is in sync with its obligations under WTO. Clearly, the US no longer believes that is enough. It seeks something tantamount to WTO-plus and uses bilateral measures to achieve it. Recently the US announced that it would withdraw benefits amounting to $5.6 billion, available to Indian exporters under the generalised system of preferences. This bargaining chip may come into play after the general election. <br><br> The next government has to strike a fine balance between protecting India's legitimate interests and mollifying an important partner. Among grievances highlighted by Ross are areas where India should make changes. To illustrate, it's difficult to see how the current e-commerce policy serves national interest as it inhibits full competition. Changes can be made here to build a fairer marketplace. Eventually India needs to enhance its export competitiveness. The last few years have seen a decline in export intensity of economic growth. Reversing it is the only durable solution to many challenges.

Bilateral trade in goods and services in 2018 between the U.S. and India was-

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the questions out of five alternatives. <br><br> US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross was in India this week to co-chair an India-US bilateral trade meeting. He used the opportunity to share the Trump administration's views on the current state of the bilateral trade relationship. It's now evident that the turbulence in the trade relationship is not on account of India's tariff rates on a few items of merchandise. It's more complicated. Ross feels there is an issue with India's "fundamental philosophy" which aims to favour domestic businesses over foreign ones. The playing field isn't level, he claims. In short, the US believes it faces significant non-tariff barriers.<br><br> Ties with the US matter greatly for both strategic and economic reasons. In 2018, bilateral trade in goods and services was $142 billion, a growth of 12.6% over the previous year. It's important therefore to put the issue in perspective. India's tariff regime is in sync with its obligations under WTO. Clearly, the US no longer believes that is enough. It seeks something tantamount to WTO-plus and uses bilateral measures to achieve it. Recently the US announced that it would withdraw benefits amounting to $5.6 billion, available to Indian exporters under the generalised system of preferences. This bargaining chip may come into play after the general election. <br><br> The next government has to strike a fine balance between protecting India's legitimate interests and mollifying an important partner. Among grievances highlighted by Ross are areas where India should make changes. To illustrate, it's difficult to see how the current e-commerce policy serves national interest as it inhibits full competition. Changes can be made here to build a fairer marketplace. Eventually India needs to enhance its export competitiveness. The last few years have seen a decline in export intensity of economic growth. Reversing it is the only durable solution to many challenges.

Which of the following is not true regarding the passage?