In Chapter 4 of “The Outsiders”, Ponyboy and Johnny “run away” from home and go to the park because Ponyboy got into an argument with his brother Darry. They never intend to actually leave for a long time but when the Socs show up at the park and try to drown Ponyboy, Johnny feels that he has to save Ponyboy no matter what. So, Johnny takes out his knife and stabs Bob, the Soc who is trying to drown Ponyboy, killing him. After this happens, Johnny and Ponyboy run to Dally for advice, and he tells them to go to Windrixville; while there they hide out in an abandoned church on Jay Mountain.
The sentence, which proposes that the American colonies should be neutral in their relationship with foreign nations is given below:
As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions, which she never can do, while by her dependence on Britain, she is made the make-weight in the scale of British politics. Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, because of her connection with England.
It can be inferred from this sentence that, the relationships that the Americans formed with foreign nations usually affect their trading with other countries negatively when there is conflict. In order to avoid this in the future, Paine suggested that American colonies should maintain neutral relationships with foreign countries.
You didn't give the answer choices, but just see which answer choice has the word "like" or "as", and that will most likely be the correct answer.