When it was weak and poor, and a useful balance against the USSR, China was liked.

When it stubbornly refused to become a western-style liberal democracy, and continued to be ruled by the Chinese Communist Party even after the USSR collapsed, the west became wary.

When the Chinese government favored Chinese companies at the expense of western companies in China, and when those companies could not dominate in the Chinese market as they had in all other markets, the west became more wary.

When the Chinese government helped Chinese companies to expand outside China by going out and buying western companies, the west became more wary.

When China announced its Made in China 2025 plan, and One Belt One Road initiative, western governments became convinced that China had a plan to make China the manufacturing center of the world, and ultimately replacing the US as the most powerful and influential nation in the world by 2035.

Definitely, the US is not happy with this idea.

That is where we are today.