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dollar diplomacy

American  

noun

  1. a government policy of promoting the business interests of its citizens in other countries.

  2. diplomacy or foreign relations strengthened by the power of a nation's financial resources.


dollar diplomacy British  

noun

  1. a foreign policy that encourages and protects capital investment and commercial and financial involvement abroad

  2. use of financial power as a diplomatic weapon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dollar diplomacy Cultural  
  1. The use of diplomatic influence, economic pressure, and military power to protect a nation's economic and business interests abroad. The term was first used to describe the exploitative nature of United States involvement in Latin America.


Etymology

Origin of dollar diplomacy

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After 1909, Secretary of State Philander Knox, one of the founders of the United States Steel Corporation, pursued a program of "dollar diplomacy" that promoted American power through overseas investments rather than territorial conquests.

From Salon

“It’s similar to dollar diplomacy. Just that now dollars are replaced by vaccines,” he added, referring to accusations the two sides exchange over buying diplomatic support with loans and other inducements.

From Reuters

The tour was meant as a counterweight to China in a region where Beijing’s dollar diplomacy has bought significant influence.

From New York Times

“Under no circumstances will Taiwan resort to an ugly dollar diplomacy bidding war with China, much less line the pockets of corrupt politicians,” said Joanne Ou, a spokesperson for Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From The Guardian

In recent years, China has poached Taiwan’s few remaining diplomatic allies through a tactic dubbed by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen as “dollar diplomacy.”

From Fox News