We did make it easier for them, they had cheaper labor, and we wanted lower prices. America did want China to become more capitalistic. But everyone's economy is a little different, that's why treaties help, they don't cure all of the problems. They just boost trade. Unfortunately Trump destroyed many of them..
it wasn't the politicians who lost China it was capitalism as the major culprit. In the late 80's the largest chain store Walmart followed by Target basically forced suppliers to open factories overseas to lower costs. A side benefit was the companies actually got tax breaks doing so. One Harvard case study was about Rubbermaid in which Walmart said to them open a factory in China or we will stop buying from you. The CEO looked at all his employees who would be laid off and said no. The following year their orders were reduced substantially as Walmart found other suppliers that would make basically the same things for less. Rubbermaid almost went out of business but diversified and put out more products. Of course other manufacturers immediately didn't wait and went overseas. I will say the politicians could have made it more difficult but they took a pass
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