How could a nation have solved its need for material resources and new markets without using imperialism to capture foreign lands?

The answer to this question: How could a nation have solved its need for material resources and new markets without using imperialism to capture foreign lands?, would be, that they could do this through trade agreements and commercial agreements between the nations.

Explanation:

This is an example that has been followed by many American nations, who did not have either the intention, or capacity, to colonize other lands or take control of their resources. It is also the example of other smaller nations in Europe, who interest did not lay in imperialism, but rather in establishing friendly relations of mutual exchange with those that had the resources that were needed. It is also an example of how countries in the Middle East traded, and exchanged goods with European nations without having to invade them and take over their resources.