In 1979, the United States began developing trade agreements with China. Ten years later, the United States decided not to break off its trade relationship with China, despite the communist government’s crackdown on political dissent. How might trade agreements lead to political change?

Trade agreements will open the opportunity for governments to be come allies with other countries. This type of new relationship will encourage international recognition. This will lead to the establishment of new embassies and recognition of each other as countries.

Moreover, trade agreements will put a spotlight on specific countries and bring to the forefront their policies and procedures and political misgivings. Since they will be viewed now, by the entire world, and more importantly, the country they are in trade with, the political reforms to offer better optics on an international scale will begin to evolve.

Trade agreements will encourage countries to be politically favorable towards the countries they are in exchange with and in some cases this may modernize their political scheme.