Hegemony and free trade policy: Britain 1846-1914 and U.S.A 1944-1990 by Pigman, GA

“…</p> <p>The case of Britain is considered, first reviewing Britain's post-Congress of Vienna liberalization of its own tariffs. After repeal of the Com Laws, a hegemonic Britain promoted trade liberalization abroad, first unilaterally, through proselytisation and from 1860 proactively, by negotiating commercial treaties based on mutual tariff reductions and most-favoured-nation treatment. …”