"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.... . Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities .... It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world...." This quotation represents a major principle of US foreign policy known as _______, first espoused in the famous farewell address by President George Washington. A) Emancipation B) belligerence C) interposition D) neutrality

In politics, neutrality refers to the principle of nation or state to avoid getting involved in a war or conflict between different countries or to avoid taking sides into political issues involving two or more countries. In the excerpt presented, which was a letter published in 1796, Washington refers to the importance of neutrality, as during this time the U.S. had alliances with France and Britain. About this, Washington states the importance "to have with them as little political connection as possible" and also claims "it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties" that shows Washington desire to remain neutral to the conflicts that occurred between other countries. Thus, the quotation represents US neutrality foreign policy.