As far as shipping lanes go, both America's and China's economic interests are the same because American consumers like to buy cheap Chinese goods while China likes to supply them. In both cases, both America and China are interested in keeping the shipping lanes open. In addition, Wal-Mart is now not only #1 in the Fortune 500 but also America's biggest employer. It's in the interest of Wal-Mart's employees that America not block any shipping lanes or else they'll be out of a job.