U.S. Trade with China vs. Opening Japan: Key Differences in Approach

China: Gradual, Treaty-Based Access

• 1784: First US ship (Empress of China) reaches Canton; trade restricted to one port, via Cohong merchants.
• 1844 Treaty of Wanghia: US gains same privileges as Britain after Opium War (5 ports, extraterritoriality).
• 1858 Treaty of Tientsin: Further opening, interior access.
• 1899 Open Door Policy: US advocates equal access for all powers.

Japan: Forced Opening by Gunboat Diplomacy

• 1600–1853: Sakoku (closed country) policy; almost zero foreign contact.
• 1853: Commodore Perry arrives with steam warships, demands opening.
• 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa: Two ports opened, coaling rights.
• 1858 Harris Treaty: Full commercial relations, extraterritoriality, low tariffs.

Core Differences

• Leverage: China—negotiated treaties after British pressure; Japan—direct US naval coercion.
• Isolation Depth: Japan's sakoku was stricter and longer-lasting than China's Canton system.
• Geography: US had Philippine base near China after 1898; Japan was more remote.