Why do countries with strong foreign exchange position need countertrade?
【正确答案】：Because they lack strength in certain areas. With barter, they are likely to find access to international market. America wants Japan to meet import targets for some American goods. An unwilling Japan has decided to draw the line. Once, when Japan faced pressure from abroad, it would either give in reluctantly or keep quiet and hope that the fuss would die down. No longer, it seems. The Clinton administration strongly believes in exerting such pressure. Its policy is to open some Japanese markets（which it deems to be closed）by setting import targets—an approach to trade policy that supporters call “result-oriented”. This ugly term foreshadows uncertain consequences. Far from capitulating to this new thrust of American trade policy, Japan is taking a stand that could lead to a trans-Pacific confrontation.
【题目解析】：拥有强大外汇地位的国家需要反贸易是因为他们在某些方面缺乏力量。以物易物，他们可能会发现能够进入国际市场。美国希望日本能达到某些美国商品的进口目标。不情愿的日本决定划清界限。曾经，当日本面临来自国外的压力时，它要么不情愿地屈服，要么保持沉默，希望这种小题大做会平息下来。现在似乎不再如此了。克林顿政府坚信应该施加这样的压力。它的政策是通过设定进口目标来开放一些日本市场(它认为这些市场是关闭的)——支持者称之为“结果导向”的贸易政策。这个丑陋的术语预示着不确定的后果。日本非但没有屈服于美国贸易政策的这一新推力，反而采取了可能导致跨太平洋对抗的立场。
