International Journal of Social Sciences

This study examines the role of the United States in China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the 1990s. The primary research question addresses why the United States facilitated China’s integration into the WTO despite the country’s rapidly growing economic potential and population exceeding one billion. The study is particularly significant given that the decisions made in the 1990s continue to shape Sino-American relations today. Another contribution lies in the fact that, within the Georgian academic context, there is virtually no literature addressing this issue. The research employs qualitative methods and draws on a diverse set of sources, including government reports, congressional documents, expert interviews, memoirs, official statistics, and media sources. The analysis was conducted using content analysis, discourse analysis, historical analysis, and case study methods. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals directly involved in the processes examined in the study. The findings indicate that U.S. policy toward China was shaped by both domestic and external factors, which influenced the formulation of foreign policy. The main objectives included limiting competing countries’ access to the Chinese market, exerting influence over China through its integration into rule-based international organizations, and maintaining U.S. economic supremacy. This study provides significant insights into the dynamics of Sino-American relations, the complexity of decision-making processes, and the importance of analyzing historical developments for understanding present and future trends.