[h1]The United States of America[/h1]

"Tariffs!? They send a message from the god damned Emperor over tariffs!? Why do they care so much? This is a mockery of us. We need to answer back, we are well within our rights to change OUR tariffs as we please. They go above themselves to tell us how to run our business." The Secretary of State, George Mathews, continued his angry rhetoric for a good five more minutes before he finally returned to one of the large sofas in the Oval Office. Mathews was a fierce lobbyist for the small percentage of ant-east citizens, however he was kept in check by the President and other members of the Cabinet. As the room fell silent President Lincoln rose from his chair by the biggest desk in the White House. He wasn't a huge man but he managed to emit an aura of power, authority and presence. He was not a man to be argued with. Hell, he had just won a civil war. The trademark hat hung on a stand to the side so the President looked shorter than in public however he was still taller than most of the men in the room.

"I hope you are done now George, the fact is the rise in tariffs directly affects their income. I'm not going to repeal the change and I am not going to raise it any further. The move is calculated and the extent of the tariffs is not extreme. The fact is Japan and China need to be curtailed from our economy, but certainly not excluded. They still are powerhouses and the biggest suppliers of Blue Coal in the world. Let's be sensible now. Antagonising the Rising Sun achieves nothing. Now control yourself and we can move onto other business." Mathews raised an eyebrow and retorted.

"So we're not responding to the letter?"

"No, we are not. Tariff policy is our prerogative and we will not be dictated too, that will not be dignified with a response. If the Japanese feel that strongly then they can send a party to discuss this. If they don't then it is nothing more than warning shots here." And with that President Lincoln pulled out a number of other files. The first was on the arrival of the next shipment of Blue Coal from Commonwealth of Australia. "It seems the Commonwealth is honouring their deal with us, the next shipment should arrive soon. I want a small party to greet them and then get the Blue COal onto a train as soon as possible. That stuff is vital now and we need it to start rebuilding immediately." Tristan Marks, the Secretary of the Interior, stood and and spoke to the President.

"I have already allocated a number of carriages of a cargo train, as well as that a timetable has been drawn up and tested that will allow the train a non-stop journey, whilst providing minimum delays to the everyday planner." The President nodded.

"Thank you Tristan. Finally, I have one more thing to discuss with George. The rest of you can return to your Departments." With that the men around the room begun to file out. It was only a small council of the Cabinet and so it wasn't long until the President was alone with George Mathews. "George, I want you to get into contact with the Dutch embassy. We have details to discuss. In terms of square miles they are small but they are also rich in rare and valuable resources. Contact the embassy. I want King Willem III to make a diplomatic visit to us. It is better that he hears a proposition from me, rather than from one of his own diplomats. Can you make this work?" With that George Mathews simply nodded and stood.

"Thank you, Mr President." Leaving Mathews immediately returned to his department. Drafting a telegram he had it sent to the Dutch Embassy, outlining a visit to the US and the propositions surrounding this deal.