Incidental to our tenure in the Philippines is the commercial opportunity to which American statesmanship cannot be indifferent. It is just to use every legitimate means for the enlargement of American trade; but we seek no advantages in
the Orient which are not common to all.
-President William McKinley, 1898
Source: Mount Holyoke College
Which phrase best describes the motivation discussed in this excerpt?

the desire to open new markets for trade.

Explanation:

According to the excerpt given, the author talks about the desire of America to take advantage of the commercial opportunity available in the Philippines and to use every legitimate means to increase American trade in the area without seeking undue advantages.

The phrase that best describes the motivation discussed in this excerpt is the desire to open new markets for trade.

"they had a large area of land that they owned."