Dunno if you read your history, but a ‘refusal to trade’ (esp. oil and metal scrap) led to 07 Dec 1941.
Oh, I’m sure there’s a lot more to the history than just this fact.
Other major facts (that led to Dec 7th...):
1. The Japanese getting their a$$es kicked by the Soviets in 1940 in an almost secret little war.
2. The might—as perceived—of an unstoppable Germany, an ally, that was taking on the Soviets and pushing them back almost 1,000 miles.
3. Perceived American weakness.
4. America putting all their eggs (ships in one Pearl Harbor basket.
5. Britain on the ropes due to the Germans.
6. The idea that a weak America would grow stronger with time along with the belief that the Soviet Union would grow weaker with time—or cease to exist (East Wind, Rain, rather than North Wind, Cloudy).
7. The false belief that Western powers would give up if they’re handedly beaten early on, as in Tsarist Russia’s fleet of 1905. They failed to see the Americans as worthy opponents with a huge advantage in staying the course—and eventually winning.
8. Finally, your point: US economic sanctions.
That's a fair point. But looking back, what other options did FDR have? Should he have continued to supply the oil Japan needed to wage war against China? Because the occasional US destroyer sail-by won't do much to change anything.
Fast forward to today. Should we consider pressuring China using trade sanctions? Or should we just concede that maritime region to them?
I suppose it's something like finding a nest of vipers in some back region of your property. Should you attempt to carefully clear it out, or is best to just leave it be?
Should have been at the end of the second paragraph in post #22. Computer gremlins at work again.