Describe the countervailing forces in U.S. foreign policy toward China that historically have caused a push-pull relationship in Sino-American relations. Provide a concrete example from history. How are these forces apparent in more recent U.S

Question

-China relations? How might the U.S. approach to China in the future need to change and why?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

An ideal response will:
1, Describe the complex cycle in which U.S. foreign policy has first encouraged Chinese openness, but then, when it has threatened U.S. interests, found ways to restrict it.
2, Provide an example, such as how U.S. encouragement of China's Open Door Policy in the 1800s to enhance trade ties opened the door to Chinese immigrant workers, but then rising unemployment in America led U.S. officials to restrict Chinese immigration.
3, Detail the same forces at work recently in, for example, the way the United States encouraged China to open its borders to foreign trade and investment at the end of the twentieth century, but now that the growing Chinese economy presents threats to U.S. interests, policy makers are faced with pressure to pass laws restricting China (e.g., to crack down on China in regard to theft of intellectual property, valuation of Chinese currency, etc.).
4, Note that China's rise to a dominant economic power may break the cycle because America may lose its ability to push back, and therefore U.S. foreign policy will have to concentrate on mutual cooperation to sustain stable economic growth in both countries.