The president of the US was allowed to permit trade with Britain and France, if they should stop violating the neutral trade of the US
By capturing American ships that traded with the French and by forcing Americans into the British navy. ;
The British challenged U.S. neutrality in the war with France by seizing American ships, impressing American sailors into the British Navy, and imposing trade restrictions. Despite efforts by President Washington to maintain peace through diplomacy, tensions rose, leading to significant political divisions in the U.S. The Jay Treaty was one response to these challenges, although it was met with mixed reactions domestically.
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