The China was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1868. The case involved a dispute between the United States and the Chinese Empire over the right of the United States to impose a tariff on goods imported from China. The Chinese Empire argued that the tariff was an infringement of its sovereignty and that the United States had no right to impose it. The United States argued that the tariff was necessary to protect its domestic industry and that it was within its rights to impose it. The Supreme Court ultimately sided with the United States, ruling that the tariff was a valid exercise of its power to regulate foreign commerce. The Court held that the United States had the right to impose the tariff, as long as it was not discriminatory or excessive. The Court also held that the Chinese Empire had no right to interfere with the United States' exercise of its power to regulate foreign commerce. This ruling established the principle that the United States has the right to regulate foreign commerce, even when it conflicts with the interests of foreign nations.

In The China, 1868, the Supreme Court was tasked with deciding whether a ship called "The China" could be seized by the United States government for violating neutrality laws. In an 8-1 decision, the court ruled that it could not. Justice Field wrote a dissenting opinion in which he argued that because of its violation of neutrality laws and its involvement in illegal activities such as piracy and slave trading, The China should have been subject to seizure by the US government. He further argued that since these violations were committed on behalf of foreign powers hostile to America's interests, they constituted acts of war against the United States and thus warranted forfeiture under international law. Ultimately however his arguments failed to sway enough justices and so The China was allowed to remain free from seizure by American authorities.