You say this like it’s a bad thing. 
China is dependent on the west for trade. Would it be possible for the U.S. to hold China’s MFN status hostage to certain human rights requirements?
Would western manufacturers (who farm out labor to China) and retailers like Walmart and K-mart be resistent to real, sweeping labor reforms in China?
Does the US government’s loyalty to domestic coorperate interests trump any interest in twisting China’s arm for such reforms?
I certainly do not, personally, think China being asorbed into the monoculture is a bad thing. This is because it is my culture.
Flame me if you must, but I developed a good portion of my worldview reading Heinlein… not all of it. Not a majority. But good portions make plain sense, not unlike Twain, who he reminds me of.
Given a choice between saving my brother and saving a stranger, I will choose my brother, if there is no other way.
Given a choice between my country and another, I will chose my country, if there is no other way.
Given a choice between my species and another, I will chose my species, if there is no other way.
I am a American, I am a human being. I am proud to be both, despite the things my government has done and is doing.
If I wasn’t, I’d move.
The thing is, I am aware that China has, for long periods of time, felt the same way, back to when they burnt their fleet. They hold greatly with their cultural integrity, and I respect that. And I’m sure that they know of the danger they face, though I believe they underestimate it.
>> China is dependent on the west for trade.
And the West is dependent on China for trade. Or are you willing to pay three times the price for cheap crap you give for Christmas?
>> Would it be possible for the U.S. to hold China’s MFN status hostage to certain human rights requirements?
It would be possible and it has been considered and thought it would be counterproductive.
>> Would western manufacturers (who farm out labor to China) and retailers like Walmart and K-mart be resistent to real, sweeping labor reforms in China?
Reforms will not come sweeping and much less as an imposition from abroad. They will come slowly as the standard of living of the people increases. That is the way it has happened in evry other country.
>> Does the US government’s loyalty to domestic coorperate interests trump any interest in twisting China’s arm for such reforms?
Domestic corporate interests would be in favor of restricting cheap imports.