Benevolent neutrality

The term benevolent neutrality was first coined by Sir Edward Grey to describe US foreign policy on involvement in World War I. Examples included shortly before the war, with the League of the Three Emperors, an agreement between Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. It is distinct from strict neutrality because the United States had some favorable policies towards the Allies; for example, generally favorable trade decisions, accentuated by the better availability of information about the Allies, and the pre-existing state of public opinion. Eventually, benevolent neutrality favored the Allies even more, allowing them loans and arms. Grey's description would become outdated, as the United States would enter into a state of armed neutrality, with the declaration of the Sussex pledge after President Woodrow Wilson's First Warning to the Germans.[1]

It also played a role in World War II, in that US trade policies and diplomatic aid favored the future Allied powers of United Kingdom and France.