Hillbilly version: If you don’t have something positive to trade, then you have nothing and revenge or negative tactics will not instill trust in your trading partners. In the short run intimidation,coercion or force might get contracts signed but in our system we do not recognize the validity of contracts signed under duress. The contract is voidable. We up the tariffs! We bomb in conjunction with others to force negotiations. Peace through power- compliance with our demands.

So what is America doing to ensure fair or equitable trade agreements? Foreign investments are leaving the country and we double down on others purchasing parts of our nation. We apply sanctions and hold their assets if they don’t comply with our demands.

Do you find it interesting that we have military bases spread around the world but there are none within our borders? Correct me if I am wrong. We do allow selected personnel to come to the United States to train but they do not set up sovereign bases within our borders.

The United States will protect our military and our investments around the world. We are partners until we are not partners. If you follow instructions, aid will be made available. Otherwise, aid will be withheld or delayed. This policy is in affect under both democratic and republican administrations.

The United States presence is for deterrence, reassurance, and power projections. We hope to reassure our partners and deter our enemies. Our policy is containment through power. These arrangements reflect a mutual understanding of the strategic benefits and security considerations for both the host nation and the United States. By maintaining post or bases throughout the world we can more effectively respond and contain incidents. There is a loss of strength gradient (the further you are from home the harder it is to be effective).

We currently demand other countries pay more toward their security. This sounds fair and reasonable. At some point they might not need any military assistance from the United States. Will we come home or find more impoverished nations to aid?

We do not give what we ask for/demand from others? Why would other nations invest in America if they are not allowed to protect their national interests. Profits of course! So as our collective debt increases and tariffs are established against our trading partners their profits decrease. To summarize: You pay more for your defense and pay more to trade with us. “Have your cake and eat it too”.