Final answer:
Madison's key foreign policy action was the Nonintercourse Act, which allowed trade with all but France and Britain, aiming to mitigate economic woes from the Embargo Act. Tensions with Britain increased due to the Napoleonic Wars and Macon's Bill Number 2, which France accepted, worsening U.S.-British relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
James Madison's foreign policy gamble shortly after becoming President was the enactment of the Nonintercourse Act, which aimed to ease the economic strain of the Embargo Act by allowing American trade with all nations, with the exception of France and Great Britain. Madison's presidency continued to be overshadowed by the fallout of the Napoleonic Wars, including negative impacts on American shipping and worsening relations with Britain. Moreover, Madison had to navigate the challenge of French support to offensive maneuvers against Britain, putting further strain on U.S. neutrality. Eventually, Macon's Bill Number 2, which opened trade with whichever nation that recognized American neutrality, was passed by Congress. France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, quickly accepted the terms, worsening American-British relations and laying the groundwork for the War of 1812.