Question

Trade protectionism, disguised as concern for the climate, is raising its head. Citing competitiveness concerns, powerful industrialized countries are holding out threats of a levy on imports of energy-intensive products from developing countries that refuse to accept their demands. The actual source of protectionist sentiment in the OECD countries is, of course, their current lackluster economic performance, combined with the challenges posed by he rapid economic rise of China and India – in that order.

• A. Climate change is evoked to bring trade protectionism through the back door.
• B. OECD countries are taking refuge in climate change issues to erect trade barriers against these two countries.
• C. Climate change concerns have come as a convenient stick to beat the rising trade power of China and India.
• D. Defenders of the global economic status quo are posing as climate change champions.
• E. Today’s climate change champions are the perpetrators of global economic inequity.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Defenders of the global economic status quo are posing as climate change champions.

Options A and C are very generalized statements. Option B is a repetition of the idea presented at the beginning of the paragraph. The para talks about how developed countries indulge in trade protectionism as a move against China and India‟s economic rise , under the guise of climate concern. Options D and E talk about the same thing but D goes along with the subtle suggestive tone of the para while E is curter in its accusation of 'perpetrators of inequity'. Hence option (D) is the answer