Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'. Statement-II : The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Why the answer is (c)
• Statement-I is correct: the US and the EU launched the Trade and Technology Council in June 2021 to coordinate on trade, technology standards, export controls, AI and supply chains.
• Statement-II is incorrect: the stated aim is to strengthen transatlantic cooperation on democratic, rules-based approaches to technology and trade, especially vis-à-vis China; neither side claims to bring 'technological progress and physical productivity under their control'.
• India and the US set up a similar initiative, the iCET, in 2023.
• Hence Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation…
- Statement-II is wrong: the TTC does not claim control over global technology.
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct…
- Statement-II is wrong, so both cannot be correct.
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
- Statement-I is correct: the TTC was launched in 2021.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.