which country does the US need the best relations with?

[Kuciwalker]

This question just randomly popped into my head and I figured I'd make a thread on it. Discuss.

[Jack_www]

I would say one of them is China. They lending massive amounts of money to the US for their growing debt, and they make the products that we US uses. If things went bad with US and China it could damage the US and Chinese economy.

[joncha]

Mauritania

[KrazyHorse]

Good question. It sort of depends on what they've got to give up to get those good relations, however. For instance, it would be really nice to have good relations with Iran right now. Unfortunately, to get them the US would have to roll over and play dead on precisely the issues it would like Iran to see its way.

Out of those countries which can reasonably be brought closer to the US or which can be prevented from growing apart I would say, in order of preference:

China
Pakistan
the UK
India
Russia
Japan
France
Saudi Arabia
Lebanon
Brazil
Argentina
Egypt
Germany
Italy
Indonesia
Australia
Canada
A bunch of second tier Euro countries

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by joncha
Mauritania

[Nubclear]

Mauritania asshattery must be stopped.

[Aeson]

Itself...

[Impaler[WrG]]

The other 4 perm members of the Security council should be at the top of the list, not so much because of toothless UN resolution but because thouse contries are the most influential in the world (after us) and thus any good/bad relation with them trickles down to their respective shperese of influence.

KH: Whats so important about Argentina?? Also I'd take issue with Lebanon both on grounds that Syria is pulling their strings and you only put it that high because of the resent conflict their.

[KrazyHorse]

What's so important about Argentina is that if you can't get Brazil then it would be good to have somebody in SA other than the Columbians. They're also the largest Spanish-speaking country in SA (again, outside the Columbians, who nobody likes right now), which counts for a lot. There is significant residual dislike of Brazil due to its size and linguistic uniqueness.

Lebanon is rated so highly due both to their relationship with Israel and with Syria. If Lebanon both wishes to and manages to contain Hezbollah activities based out of Lebanon (both direct and indirect) then Israel will not respond as aggressively as often to militant activity (since there will be less of it). If we assume that the US won't be giving up its support for Israel then this can only be a positive thing, as it will lower resentment of the US in the region. As for its relationship with Syria, a friendly and powerful Lebanese state would lower Syria's status as a regional power broker. It would also force Syria to keep one eye on its back as it stirs up **** in Iraq (to whatever extent it's managing to), and might thus aid in isolating Iran (however little). The recent conflict does provide opportunity for this, but Lebanon has been a key battleground for a long time.

Neither of these countries is particularly important due to their military might. Argentina has a large enough economy, but the real importance of each of these two is in their relationship to the more powerful neighbours around them, and in their symbolic importance to the people of the region.

[red_jon]

Seeing as the EU often negotiates as a single bloc (the splits into 25 to vote ) I'd say that. Though not technically a country, even if we do have a flag, anthem and founding date...

[Donegeal]

I hate to say it, but I think the most important country that the US maintains (and would be good to improverelationships with) is Canada. Yes, we have a good relationship with them already, but this is the one country that we need to maintain (or as I said to improve) our relationships with.

Canada --><-- United States

[Will9]

I'm more concerned about Mexico than Canada.

[Richelieu]

Because the relationship is good. If it weren't you'd be more concerned with Canada.

[Will9]

Originally posted by Richelieu
Because the relationship is good. If it weren't you'd be more concerned with Canada.

Let's not forget that if, like China, American relations with Mexico could hurt both econemies. Even Fig Newtons are made in Mexico!

[Richelieu]

Can't over estimate the importance of Fig Newtons,