Western nations began writing the world’s rules in 1492, when Columbus bumped into an island off the coast of North America in his search for a faster route to the riches of the East.

Spain and Portugal, France and England, the Netherlands and other nations conquered native populations all over the world. Even Denmark laid claim to several islands in the Carribean and imported African slaves to work sugar plantations there.

Some conquests were more brutal than others, but the aim always was the use of the conquered populations for the economic and often military benefit of the conquerors.

As European nations fought each other for power, these conflicts became the world wars of the 1900’s, touching far flung possessions. Finally, exhausted by war, the ruling countries began freeing their conquered populations.

The United States, not devastated by war like Europe, became the chief guardian of international order. During this time of relative peace and growing global connections, the United States benefitted from increasing world trade. As the most powerful nation, the United States oversaw the world’s rules.

However, it was inevitable that Asia, with its massive populations, would play a greater role in the world. China is the most populous nation on earth, with India a close second. The United States is third. China, especially after it had recovered from Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward, grew and thrived economically.

Economic power brings political clout, as the United States knows. How does the United States deal with this new giant on the scene, economically strong with different ideas of political governing?

Will a new trade war, brought about by tariff increases on certain products, threaten this world order, until now weighted in America’s favor?