The End of the U.S. Tributary System?

Some years ago, I wrote an essay about the American Tributary System in which I argued that the United States resembled ancient China in important and interesting ways in the conduct of its foreign relations. The organizers of this workshop have asked me to ponder how the wheels of history might be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Policy File 2019
Main Author: Khong, Yuen Foong
Format: Report
Language:English
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German Institute for International and Security Affairs
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Summary:Some years ago, I wrote an essay about the American Tributary System in which I argued that the United States resembled ancient China in important and interesting ways in the conduct of its foreign relations. The organizers of this workshop have asked me to ponder how the wheels of history might be churning again: is the "American tributary system coming to an end right now," and if so, what are "the geopolitical and geoeconomic implications"? My answer to first question is, the American tributary system is under severe stress, but it is premature to write it off. Another four years of Trump is likely to bring it close to the breaking point, but if there is regime change (by elections) next year, I wager that we'll see a return to the mean, i.e. a U.S.the administrations before Trump, Republican or Democraticprizes its hegemonic position and will redouble efforts to uphold that position by providing public goods and leadership of the free world. But whether the U.S.-led system breaks or can be repaired, we need to factor in the other crucial dynamic in play, namely the challenge posed by China, the risen power in Asia, to the U.S.-led system.