In late nineteenth century diplomacy, the policy suggested by the United States that all countries should have equal trading rights in China was known as what?

Introduction / Context:
During the age of imperialism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, China became a focus of competition among many foreign powers. The United States, which was rising as a global power, proposed a policy meant to ensure that no single nation would gain total control over Chinese trade. This policy, expressed in diplomatic notes, sought to keep markets in China open to all countries on equal terms. The question asks you to identify the name commonly given to this United States policy.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The policy involves equal rights for all countries to trade anywhere in China.
• The initiative came from the United States.
• The options include Open Door Policy, Me Too Policy, a combination of both names and Universal Policy.
• You must know the standard historical term used in textbooks for this United States approach to China.

Concept / Approach:
In 1899 and 1900, United States Secretary of State John Hay issued a series of Open Door Notes to major European powers and Japan. These notes proposed that all nations should respect equal trading rights in China and preserve its territorial and administrative integrity. The idea was that no single power should carve out exclusive spheres of influence that would shut out the others. This concept is known as the Open Door Policy. Terms such as Me Too Policy or Universal Policy are not standard historical names for this diplomatic initiative. Therefore, the correct approach is to select Open Door Policy as the answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the description of equal rights to trade anywhere in China for all countries. Step 2: Recall that the United States, concerned about being excluded from Chinese markets, suggested a policy addressed to other imperial powers. Step 3: Remember that this policy is widely known as the Open Door Policy, named after the idea of leaving markets open like a door. Step 4: Compare this with options such as Me Too Policy and Universal Policy, which are not used in formal historical writing. Step 5: Select Open Door Policy as the correct term describing this United States approach to trade in China.

Verification / Alternative Check:
World history textbooks that cover imperialism in Asia typically include a section on the Open Door Policy. They explain that the policy did not make China fully independent but rather tried to maintain equal commercial access for all foreign powers. These texts often note that the United States used the language of fairness and equal opportunity while still pursuing its own economic interests. None of these sources refer to a Me Too Policy or a Universal Policy in this context. This consistent usage confirms that Open Door Policy is the correct and widely accepted term.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The phrase Me Too Policy may sound like a comment on joining existing arrangements, but it is not a recognised historical term for this diplomacy and does not appear in serious scholarship. The option claiming that both names are correct is misleading, because only Open Door Policy is used in standard accounts. Universal Policy is a vague phrase and does not refer specifically to China or to equal trade rights. These options either invent or mislabel the policy and therefore are not correct answers.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may be tempted by the both option if they think that multiple names are sometimes used for the same policy. Others might be uncertain because the term Open Door may sound more like an expression than a formal policy name. To avoid confusion, remember that many important diplomatic strategies have short descriptive names, such as containment, détente and the Open Door Policy. Associating this particular term with United States policy toward China around 1900 will help you answer similar questions with confidence.

Final Answer:
The United States policy suggesting that all countries should have equal rights to trade anywhere in China was known as the Open Door Policy, so that option is correct.