Treaty carrier arithmetic and worldwide commitments

Would the U.S. Navy trade small treaty carriers for another large conversion?

Possibly, but the gain would not be cost-free, and British treaty demands would reflect a much wider set of maritime commitments.

Trading several small carriers for another large conversion would change the U.S. Navy's mix of aviation capability. Congressional resistance to spending would constrain the decision. Fleet and scout carriers had different roles, so exchanging ships would not preserve every capability. Britain would assess any American concession against its commitments across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Far East. It could demand an additional fleet carrier or more scout carriers in return. The earlier London Treaty dispute over light and heavy cruisers illustrates how differing requirements complicated numerical parity.