This has been apparent for a long time, but decision-makers in the US have greatly reduced the horizons of time-periods they care about (very little long-term strategic thinking both politically, especially the executive branch, and for company executives & wall street). So if a tactic works now and brings in results now to ensure the bonus or re-election, then it's implemented regardless of long-term harm, since someone else will deal with that at some point in the future.

China took advantage of America's growing individual greed and short-termism. American companies know this, but they can't help themselves.