The problem is double standards.

You seem infinitely more informed than me on these issues, so I can't argue with you. I just find it hard to believe that other countries aren't also applying standards when it's convenient for them, and trying to get whatever advantage they can. I'm not saying it's honorable, or that multiple wrongs make a right... But I'm reasonably confident that if I did enough research, I could find instances where others are using the same negotiating tactics.