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Today, America has become one of the most powerful forces for good on earth. We must keep it so. We have achieved a world leadership which does not depend solely upon our military and naval might. We have learned to fight with other nations in common defense of our freedom. We must now learn to live with other nations for our mutual good. We must learn to trade more with other nations so that there may be - for our mutual advantage - increased production, increased employment and better standards of living throughout the world. May we Americans all live up to our glorious heritage. In that way, America may well lead the world to peace and prosperity.

Harry S. Truman#33

LeadershipPeaceForeign policyTrade

About this quote

What does it mean?
Truman calls for America to lead globally through trade and mutual cooperation rather than military force.
In plain terms
America should maintain global leadership by trading and living with other nations peacefully.
What can you take from it?
Global leadership requires mutual cooperation and economic engagement.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • trade negotiations
  • diplomacy

Putting it to work

  • expand trade agreements
  • promote multilateral cooperation

Questions to consider

  • What makes a nation a good leader?
  • How can trade promote peace?

Another view

The quote assumes nations prioritize mutual good over self-interest.

More from Harry S. Truman

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  2. The British, Chinese, and United States Governments have given the Japanese people adequate warning of what is in store for them. We have laid down the general…

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  3. In bitter despair, some people have come to believe that wars are inevitable. With tragic fatalism, they insist that wars have always been, of necessity, and o…

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