U.S. asset freeze (version 2.0)

Following on this thread.

even though the war in Europe is not active and is "phony" at this stage, Britain is not likely to want or to be able to fill all potential Japanese demand
That would be true of all Commonwealth nations, so having sterling, or C$, or A$, surplus wouldn't be a big help, would it? And the U.S. knows it.

So who else has the production capacity, the industrial capacity, to aid Japan at all? Mexico? Brazil? Argentina? Maybe Spain or Portugal?

The trouble is, any of them risk annoying the U.S. if they supply Japan...& if they could supply Japan, I have to wonder why Britain wasn't looking to them for help.

Much the same applies to oil, tho (for Canada, anyhow) there's room for increased output--but if Canada did drill the Leduc &c field(s) in '39-'43 or so, the oil would go to Britain, not Japan, as above. Venezuela & Mexico are unlikely to export contrary to U.S. wishes...& if it comes to it, couldn't the U.S. just outbid Japan?

The Sovs might be the only option, & that's a pretty small window...but, if Japan just wants to stockpile oil, another 8mo or so to do it (until Barbarossa) could only benefit her in the long run. Would that be enough to delay the move South, since it's not so life-or-death TTL? Or would the need (desire?) to cut Chinese LOCs trump, & the move into IndoChina go ahead on OTL's schedule?
 
Top