[vrganj]

I don't think the country that singlehandedly messed up the global economy by launching a pointless war on Iran - without even coordinating with its allies! - that predictably got the Strait of Hormuz closed gets to call itself protector of free trade anymore.

The US has lost its appeal as a hegemon. Constantly threatening allies with invasion isn't helping either.

[21asdffdsa12]

Open a history book- before the us century- this stuff was the norm. Its what is to be expected after the us- retreats inwards. China blockading japan. The world blockading china. Russia blockading eastern Europe and vice versa. The shitty old world pre the ww2 order.

[vrganj]

Indeed. But the US can't do this and also assume people will still accept it as hegemon and protector of free trade.

It's lost those titles when it started behaving that way.