I think the entire point of the past ~6 weeks has been to demonstrate that such a sentiment is clearly false. Something the world forgot after the US demonstrated it in 2001...and again in 2003.....and again in 2011 (Libya, after taking over from France's lead). Next we'll be waiting for the Chinese to remind everyone, probably 2025-2030 (after they finish taking notes on Russia's experience and incorporating lessons learned).

This is naïve.

If the Chinese government struck a deal with Mexico (or Canada) to put military units, bases, people, surveillance etc. in those countries, would the US just say "meh, that's their sovereign right"?

We need to be realistic about this, not idealistic.