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> Has the US ever stated or followed a policy of neutrality

Yes, most of the time from the founding until the First World War.

> and openness?

Not sure what sense of "openness" is relevant here.




Not at all. Prior to WWI, the US was aggressively and intentionally cleaning European interests out of the Western hemisphere. It was in frequent wars, often with one European power or another. It just didn't distract itself too much with squabbles between European powers over matters outside its claimed dominion.

Establishing a hemispheric sphere of influence was no act of neutrality.


> Not sure what sense of "openness" is relevant

It is in the name OpenAI… not that I think the Swiss are especially transparent, but neither are the USA.


I’m not sure you can call Manifest destiny neutral.


You're completely right. Neither can the Monroe Doctrine be called neutral, nor can:

- the Mexican-American War

- Commodore Perry's forced reopening of Japan

- The fact that President Franklin Pierce recognized William Walker's[1] regime as legitimate

- The Spanish-American war

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Walker_(filibuster)




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