The United States had backed Manila’s case on the grounds that China’s claims to 85 percent of the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest trade routes, were a threat to freedom of navigation and international law. Prior to the recent court ruling on China 's South China Sea claims , US officials spoke of mobilising a coalition to create a united front in the event that Beijing reversed the court 's decision . But two weeks after the verdict against China , the court 's ruling is in danger of becoming irrelevant . Only six countries have supported China 's calls for the ruling to be reversed and now Washington appears unkeen to press the case further . This may be because China is a key economic partner for the US and also out of reluctance to prompt Washington to escalate the dispute .
Prior to the recent court ruling on China 's South China Sea claims , US officials spoke of mobilising a coalition to create a united front in the event that Beijing reversed the court 's decision . But two weeks after the verdict against China , the court 's ruling is in danger of becoming irrelevant . Only six countries have supported China 's calls for the ruling to be reversed and now Washington appears unkeen to press the case further . This may be because China is a key economic partner for the US and also out of reluctance to prompt Washington to escalate the dispute .