There are many ways in which we affect the international relations between America and the rest of the world. While they include natural rights given to all American citizens, such as our ability to vote, they also encompass other aspects of American life that are limited to specific individuals such our behavior in other countries and the products we consume. Under our democratic government, we as citizens elect those who dictate the nature of our relations with other countries. As each US citizen over the age of 18 is given the right to vote, the majority of the population can affect foreign relations by electing our nation’s leaders. These leaders that are elected and the foreign policy they invoke and practice then plays a major role in the government relations between countries, trade agreements, opinions that people of other countries have on America and subsequently the ways in which Americans are viewed and treated internationally. As is a common practice among affluent American citizens, travel to other countries often also plays a key role. As each citizen is a representative of America, the behavior of those individuals on the people they encounter in foreign countries always leaves an impression. While it is a minority of American people who are able to travel and impact others, it is then solely left to the few individuals who can, to leave positive foreign impressions.

Another current and major way in which Americans affect international relations everyday are through the products that we consume. Unlike past periods of American history, the majority of the products that we buy are imported from other countries. Despite appearing inherently American, even American brands, such as Nike, have outsourced their manufacturing plants to different countries with less strict labor laws as a way to save money. As some of these companies use child labor, while promoting good trade relations between the US and other countries, buying certain products could be promoting child labor and abuse.