Indochina was the point where Japanese internal maneuvering collided with an American strategic limit. Washington had already objected to the Japanese presence in northern French Indochina, but the formal move into the south triggered the oil embargo. Konoe offered to travel almost anywhere to meet Roosevelt while remaining unable to concede enough in advance to secure the summit. His willingness to seek a meeting could not resolve the contradiction while his government also advanced into territory Washington considered unacceptable.
Chapter · 1:08:26-1:10:31
French Indochina, the oil embargo, and a diplomatic red line
The move into southern French Indochina turns tentative talks into a crisis by crossing the American red line and triggering an oil embargo.