What do y'all think would happen if ...(?)?

Question

Americans like to bash other countries on here and say no one has ever helped them, that they have become "a great country" all on their own, without needing anything from any other countries in the world so screw them all.

Now what would happen if every country the US of A relies on for International Trade and for Foreign Investment stopped trading with the US and pulled out ALL the Foreign Investment in the US? IF the every country in the world withdrew as their ally, in trade, foreign affairs, wars that the US economy so heavily relies upon.

Do you think the US could continue to exist in a vaccuum? This is something Americans should stop to think about before making some of the comments they do about other countries.

The US of A could not sustain its economy without exporting manufactured goods and agricultural products grown in the US.

As a matter of fact the US came up with very little of todays technology, the TV, telephone, blackberry, Java programming, IBM, fiber optics, too many medical procedures and medical technology to mention, metal clad aircraft, ELTs, ADFs etc all came from Canada, and most of the computer technonology came from Japan.

carl try reading the posts on travel/canada and you will see a lot of them

I didnt post this to offend you, I would like you to stop and think of how every country even the US is dependent upon other countries for trade and investment.

Answer 1

You're right. We'd be toast. But all of us don't bash other countries. Here or anywhere else.

Answer 2

First, let's take the historical perspective: if it weren't for the French supporting the Colonies during the Revolution, we'd all still be singing God Save the Queen. So anyone who says that no one helped us get to where we are is totally bonkers.

Now, as to your quesiton: if every other nation that trades with the USA, invests in the USA, or allows US investment in their country were to suddenly and completely stop, the US economy and the global economy would collapse in ways that make the Great Depression of 1929 look like a minor budget crisis. Imagine:

The foriegn countries that own 1/3 of the US National Debt suddenly want to cash out, to the tune of 3 trillion dollars. (That's more money than the US collects in taxes in a year.)

All the products that we buy from overseas are no longer coming into our shores, and we don't have the manufacturing capacity to replace them. Even if we did, we don't have the raw materials.

50% of our oil is no longer available. (We get about 6% from the Middle East, 20% from Mexico, some from Britain, some from Venezuela, etc.) Imagine the energy crunch as people can no longer drive their SUVs to the grocery store.

No more Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans, Hyundais, BMWs, Mercedes, Suzikis, Kias, Mazdas, etc. And since US cars are made with many foreign-manufactured parts, GM, Ford, and Chrysler would have to take a couple of years off to develop alternative supply lines.

Close down every US military base that's not on US soil. It would prevent us from being able to project power around the world, leave Japan and Taiwan open to China, leave Europe open to Russia, leave Israel open to the Arabic nations. America's days as a superpower would come to screeching halt. And the days of other nations living under the nominal protection of the USA would also come to a halt.

The only thing that prevents this from happening is that they need us as much as we need them.

Answer 3

That would never happen because foreign countries cannot afford to pull out all investment in the U.S. because they do not have any other place to get investors or to invest in. It would be very difficult for foreign companies to cut ties with an economic super power like the U.S. because nobody spends money the way the U.S. does. Besides even if it did happen, the U.S. always imports raw materials from other countries in order to keep our natural resources safe. The U.S. would have much more natural resources to keep our country running for decades to come without all of the other countries in the world. Not to say it wouldn't make things more difficult but they U.S. could survive for quite awhile if that impossible vacuum did ever happen.

Answer 4

First, you'd never have this happen. America is the ultimate consumer country. Other countries compete for the right to trade with America. If one country said "no more trade with the US", many many other countries would gladly step in. This is why countries that are completely opposed with America's tactics will still support America and do business with them.

America didn't get where it is completely alone (no country did - you're trying to drive a pointless argument), but the success America has had has been primarily due to it's solo actions and the actions of its awesome populace. America gets less help because it needs less help.

In terms of debt, though, America seeks help. For example, China has lent America about 1 trillion dollars. People need to remember though that it's easy to lend money when you're killing and starving your own people in order to get that money.

Answer 5

We like to bash America too:) Seriously, we know that our economy relies heavily upon foreign investment, just like we also know that a lot of countries economy relies on our aid. But most importantly, we enjoy our freedom of speech, so we feel the need to express our opinion about whatever, whenever we want.

Answer 6

"Americans like to bash other countries on here and say no one has ever helped them, that they have become "a great country" all on their own, without needing anything from any other countries in the world so screw them all." - YOU ARE WRONG IN YOUR GENERALIZATION.

We just like bashing other countries. When we were in our infancy we needed the help of other countries, FACT.
If you didn't realize, America can produce anything that other countries can. As a matter of fact, we come up with most of today's technology.

Don't hate the players, hate the game.

Answer 7

The global economy would collapse. It'd make the Great Depression look like the roaring 20s.

Answer 8

It is the other way around. Most American could care less about other countries. We live in a global economy so all would suffer. It will never happen. Peace

Answer 9

Other countries would be harmed far more than the USA would be if they discontinued trade with us. It is funny how you say Americans bash other countries on here, when it is generally the other way around.

Answer 10

Actually, America would be fine. There would be a rough year or two while we made the adjustment, but we've already got all the resources we need to be completely autonomous. In fact, that might work out best for us.

Answer 11

but in turn the world economy would collapse since most of the world functions using the dollar for trade.and i do not think i have ever haerd one official make the"screw them " comment.