Which country proposed the Open Door Policy that advocated equal trading rights in China?

• A. The United States
• B. China
• C. Britain
• D. France

Answer: (A)

The Open Door Policy reflects a push to keep trade with China open to all nations on equal terms and to protect China’s territorial integrity. It was proposed by the United States, with Secretary of State John Hay sending notes around 1899–1900 arguing that no single country should dominate trade in China and that all powers should have equal access to Chinese markets. This approach aimed to prevent the carving up of China into exclusive spheres of influence by imperial powers and to ensure American merchants could compete fairly. China itself didn’t propose the policy, and Britain or France were already pursuing own influence in China rather than advocating open, equal access for all; so the United States is the one who put forward this idea.