But even if the U.S. were to open up a nuclear sub base near some other countries, that's nuclear proliferation and I wouldn't just dismiss it as "no big deal". Nukes are strategic, not tactical, weapons. You open a nuke sub base, you're trying to make a statement to somebody.
That's like blaming the U.S. for helping to prevent the Japanese unification with China in WW II after the Nanjing massacre.
Unified = imperialism 1900-style. China doesn't see that. Worldwide, it's an outdated concept and one that has lead to too much unnecessary bloodshet and iron-fist rule. Consolidation of power may make stronger empires in the short term, but inevitably the all crumble under their own weight of keeping diverse populations from self-determination -- as ultimately happens a lot throughout history. The East Timor split from Indonesia is a more common situation today than, say, German reunification.