Final answer:
The United States would most likely attempt diplomacy first in an interaction with a country that opposes US policy, followed by economic sanctions if necessary, and consider military intervention as a last resort.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an interaction with a country that opposes US policy, the United States would most likely attempt diplomacy first. Diplomacy involves the establishment and maintenance of formal relationships between countries and is the means through which the U.S. typically begins to address issues or conflicts with another nation. This approach is consistent with the principles of liberal internationalism and the emphasis on soft power as a nonmilitary tool to influence and negotiate.
Should diplomacy fail, the U.S. might then consider escalating actions such as economic sanctions, which are measures taken to suspend trade or financial relationships to signal displeasure with the other country's behavior. Sanctions can be a precursor to hard power interactions, which could eventually involve military intervention if the situation deteriorates significantly. However, the use of military force is generally seen as a last resort after other strategies, such as diplomacy and sanctions, have been exhausted.
The U.S. foreign policy framework, which has largely favored internationalism since World War II, underscores the importance of engagement and the initial use of diplomacy and economic means of influencing international affairs, rather than immediate recourse to military action.