[gph]

>If you support your "values" only on a reciprocal basis, essentially you renounce them. And you certainly lose the moral high ground when you try to get others to adopt these values.

I can't agree with that at all. I hold non-violence as a value, but I'm also going to defend myself if attacked and I don't think that means I renounce my values or lose any moral high ground.

There are plenty of situations where supporting a high-minded value requires reciprocation.

[addicted]

Then you don’t hold absolute non violence as a value. You hold non violent unless violence is necessary as a value.

If you did hold absolute non violence as a value, then yes, you would not respond to violence against you with violence even in defense.

Values are not binary.

[gph]

So who said America holds free and open trade as an absolute value that we'd uphold even when faced with partners not willing to uphold that value?

You just decided to add extra constraints to my argument for no reason.