Trade frictions arise even among the closest of partners. In a mature international relationship, those frictions are dealt with on their own terms while the broader relationship continues to flourish.

As the United States' $12 trillion-per-year economy becomes increasingly integrated with China's 1.3 billion-person economy . . . trade and investment will continue to grow, creating jobs and increasing prosperity in both the United States and China.

China has not played a role in strengthening the international trading system commensurate with its commercial heft and the benefit it has obtained from that system. An imbalance of this magnitude is not sustainable, either politically or economically, over the long term. One need only ask whether - if the tables were turned - China would tolerate a bilateral trade imbalance of that size with the United States.

In the United States, there are those on both sides of the political spectrum who would seek to close down the US market to China.

China's apprentice period must now come to a close, and China must act as a fully accountable participant and beneficiary in the international trading system. China must find a way to pursue its own self-interest while also adhering to, and helping to shape, the policies and institutions that under gird its own prosperity and the prosperity of its trading partners.

China must take responsibility commensurate with the benefits it is has obtained from participation in the international, rules-based trading system.