National Interests And Protectionism: The Expansion Of China - US Trade Conflicts And Its Causes Since The Financial Crisis

National interest stems from national sovereignty. In view that the national sovereignty is the supreme, naturally national interest is the supreme target of a nation. Therefore, national interest determines a country’s diplomatic policy and behavior. The research on national interest has always been an entry point of the study of international politics and international relations. Politic issues are always associated with economic factors. Since the modern international system established, trading has been playing an important role in pushing the evolution of international relations. The financial crisis has crippled the U. S economy severely, which also means American’s financial hegemony has been challenged seriously. When governments are seeking for measures to save their economies, trade protectionism begins to spread among developed countries including the U. S. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the new trade of American trade protectionism since the financial crisis in2008and from the perspective of national interests’ conflict. With respect that American’s trade protection policy is to maintain its national interest, the Sino-U.S trading conflict exists on a regular basis.