When China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, it pledged to open its markets, reduce trade barriers, and adhere to global trade rules. More than two decades later, the United States and its allies accuse China of failing to fully honour these commitments, citing numerous instances of non-compliance. Meanwhile, China has intensified its public narrative, alleging that U.S. tariffs and export controls constitute an illegal market blockade in breach of WTO rules. As the U.S.-China trade war escalates, concerns grow: could prolonged tariffs lead to China’s international isolation, particularly given recent critiques likening Xi Jinping’s China to a “mafia boss” that coerces other nations with economic pressure?