Opening to China

“Only Nixon could go to China” is a metaphor for a person of an established reputation to defy all expectations by acting in a contrary fashion. That phrase was conceived this week in 1972. President Richard Nixon, an established cold warrior, surprised everyone by his visit with the Chinese leadership. This led to expanded contacts between the United States and that nation. Full diplomatic relations, broken off in 1949, were restored on January 1, 1979.

Today, China is a major trading partner. In 2016, China bought nearly $116 billion of American goods, while we imported over $462 billion worth from the once-isolated nation.

Source: Profile America

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