Coming back to topic I would really like to know some specific events where US has actually deferred to its neighbours? Can someone please expand on this?
I can give a few brief examples --
1.) Foremost is Saudi Arabia's decision to not allow U.S troops on its soil , which incredible as it is , the US accepted without question.
2) Another example would be the military bases on Philippines , referred in the article. Again the US acquiesced despite the fact that they could easily throw their weight around.
Of course , the downside is the U.S administration has its satellite states ( there are several) , under its de-facto thumb so all these displays are for public sentimental consumption --"we respect you and your sovereignty " -is the message they wish to deliver to the public.
Behind the scenes, they probably have a hundred other methods of surveillance , covert diplomatic leverages to eventually get their objectives accomplish but gotta hand it to them. At the diplomatic level ( where it really matters ) they are the worlds leading experts of image projection.
On the contrary , China has in the last couple of years made several diplomatic blunders which result in it viewed more as an aggressive entity by several countries. While the west have never really been a friend , China managed to alienate even the carefully neutral Asian countries like India and increase the apprehensions of several others like Japan and the Philippines , those of whom where finally reconciling themselves to the idea of a multi-polar world with China , Russia , U.S as many leading powers .
In short China literally upset a very well functioning balance to tilt the diplomatic scales towards the U.S--In the process shooting themselves in the foot, albeit accidentally.