In George Washington's Farewell Address, he famously cautioned against forming permanent alliances with specific European countries. Washington believed that such alliances could entangle the United States in unnecessary conflicts and foreign disputes, potentially jeopardizing the nation's peace and prosperity. He warned that these entanglements might lead to a loss of autonomy and could disrupt the country's ability to navigate its own affairs independently.
Washington did not express that these alliances would be seen as a sign of disrespect or that other countries might boycott exports. Instead, his primary concern was the risk involved in becoming too closely allied with particular nations, which could lead to divisiveness and conflict within the United States, as well as with other countries. Therefore, he advocated for a policy of neutrality and caution in foreign affairs, emphasizing the need to focus on the nation’s own interests.