Answer:
The most important reason for the United States to expand its territory in Asia in the late 1800s was To protect and expand its Asian trade
Explanation:
The USA had a special interest in getting control over Asian territory, especially the one that was a trail of imports and commerce. In 1898, when the U.S. made its 8,000 mile leap to the Philippines, less than 10% of U.S. trade crossed the Pacific, whereas 60% crossed the Atlantic. China, Korea, and Japan were sources of exotic imports rather than significant exports.