We were the economic and military hegemon. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as you say.
For anyone interested, here's an interview with Bob Lighthizer on what has been going on with global trade over the past few decades:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0IUh8kNSqY
I'd be interested in comments on what he has to say rather than attacks on his character and the usual shooting the messenger etc.
If there's useful information from what he says, I'd love to hear it, but I don't want to hear the other half again as it's exhausting.