America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The provision of surplus food to the USSR during Nixon’s presidency served as a strategic diplomatic gesture that contributed to a moderate decrease in hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union during a period marked by the Cold War. This initiative was rooted in a broader approach of détente, which sought to ease tensions and improve relations between the two superpowers.

By sending food aid, the U.S. demonstrated its willingness to cooperate and engage in a pragmatic relationship rather than maintaining an adversarial stance. This action was viewed as a way to foster goodwill and establish a foundation for further dialogue, potentially leading to arms control agreements and other cooperative measures. It reflected an understanding that humanitarian considerations could play a role in foreign policy, thus creating a more favorable atmosphere for negotiation.

While the food aid did not resolve all issues or transform the relationship overnight, it certainly contributed to a climate where dialogue could occur more freely. This aligns with the principles of détente, which emphasized negotiation and the reduction of tensions through economic and diplomatic engagement.