"The Demands for freedom of the seas. the promulgation of ope-door policies, and more recently, the negotiations for free trade zones always have been at the core of America's expansion around the world.
Indeed, it has been charachteristic of American [brand of] imperialism that it took territories only reluctantly, preffering to use its military might to open markets and ensure commercial advantage rather than administer foreign states.". .
From: "America as Empire: Global Leader or Rogue Power?"
by Jim Garrison. pg 80