Open Door Policy (US and China)

The Open Door Policy was a diplomatic effort by the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to promote equal trading rights in China, ensuring no single country would dominate Chinese markets. It aimed to keep China's borders open to all foreign nations, preventing imperial powers from carving out exclusive spheres of influence. Although primarily initiated by the U.S., the policy influenced international relations by encouraging free trade and maintaining China's territorial integrity. It was not about forcing open markets but about ensuring fair access and preventing conflicts over control, which helped shape U.S.-China economic interactions.