Some of this is touched on in Kariann Akemi Yokota, Unbecoming British. Americans were in an odd spot after the war: proudly independent, eager to establish their own economic footing, but closely bound to the British by culture, language, and pre-war business partnerships. Britain was also the world's biggest commercial and industrial power by a pretty considerable margin; trading ANYWHERE meant doing business with Britain.

In China, American merchants worked with Spanish, French, and Dutch traders to help establish inroads into the Chinese market independent of Britain. Back home, however, British luxuries and industrial goods remained in high demand, while French products simply didn't. The British Caribbean was also the most ready market for American lumber and grain. Meanwhile, France slipped into political instability during the 1780s and 90s, and never worked out a workable policy for dealing with the American government. England was the more relatable, more stable partner for the young nation, though the US did try to trade with France.