Selective Multilateralism

"'Selective multilateralism' […] is perhaps a more accurate description of U.S. treaty behavior than unilateralism. The United States does not oppose international agreements, but rather adheres to those obligations that serve its perceived interests and rejects other obligations that do not.” 

Chayes, Antonia (2008): “How American Treaty Behavior Threatens National Security”. In: International Security 33:1, 45-81.  

"'Selective multilateralism' can be seen as referring to US' approach toward multilateralism [which] entails building small groups and setting up multilateral mechanisms with military and security; such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Japan, Australia and India. These mechanisms seek to confront and provoke certain countries.”

Hao, Su (2021): “Doubtful US will embrace real multilateralism”. In: Global Times.

The term "selective multilateralism" has been used at various times to describe the political practice of selectively choosing multilateral partners and actions depending on the issue at hand, rather than striving for comprehensive multilateral cooperation that is (in principle) open to all. Not identical with the term "unilateralism" – though also often used with  negative connotations – the term was initially used by observers of the "unipolar moment" of the United States, but it has been used more frequently again in recent times, most recently by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the virtual World Economic Forum 2021 to criticize U.S. behavior perceived as selectively practiced multilateralism directed against China.  

Antonia Chayes (*1929) is Professor of Practice in International Politics and Law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, a member of the Council on Foreign Affairs and former Under Secretary of the US Air Force.

Dr. Hao Su is Distinguished Professor in the Chinese Department of Diplomacy and founding director of Center for Strategic and Peace Studies at the China Foreign Affairs University.