What I think is happening is people are identifying machiavellian actions. Chinese actions aren't 'bad' per se- they are self-interested though- and often in a

What I think is happening is people are identifying machiavellian actions. Chinese actions aren't 'bad' per se- they are self-interested though- and often in a zero-sum context. The US, despite many deplorable actions by its government over the years, consistently also supported good government initiatives, development initiatives, and generally bi-lateral open markets. This has allowed well run countries access to a large export base with minimal barriers- hence the rise of countries like S. Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan and Germany post WWII, all of which could have been foreclosed by the hyperpower of the US if it so wished. China is completely strategic in leveraging its money and industrial base into more military and political power. It has no problem in leveraging corrupt governments like Venezuela to secure more strategic influence, much like the US did during the Cold War, which at least had the goal and virtue of halting the spread of totalitarian Communism. If a nation is going to act completely self-interested, rather than contribute to the greater good and trust that growing the market ensures more for everyone, it then behooves other countries to act in defense of their self interest in return and potentially act in a coordinated manner to constrain that power. The US, despite its errors, delivers value to its partners. S. Korea, Japan, Germany have all directly benefitted from sheltering in the embrace of American military might. And as the Philippines has shown, the US is more than willing to withdraw from any country (other than Cuba, for historic reasons) that wants it gone.