전치사와 관계대명사 문장 구조 질문드려요

“The ESC is caught between a rock and a hard place over the issue as ocean carriers always warned that the abolishment of liner conferences would result in more mergers and industry consolidation, to which the ESC has countered that, if this was the price to be paid, so be it.”
여기서 counter는 against와 함께 쓰이는 것 같은데 to와도 쓰이나요?
to는 어떤 표현에 연결되는지 궁금합니다.