Would the USA Ever Force Other First World Nations to Switch Back to the Imperial System?

Before delving into the realm of whether the United States would ever enforce the use of the Imperial system, it's important to consider the reasons why this would not be a desirable or viable proposition. There are several compelling arguments against such a move, along with insights into why the U.S. and its citizens are already deeply invested in the metric system.

Why Switching to the Imperial System Would Not Serve a Purpose

First and foremost, the U.S. does not use the Imperial system. The term 'Imperial' refers to a set of units of measurement established by the British Parliament in 1824. In contrast, the United States, being an independent nation since 1776, was using its own customized system of measurements. Therefore, the U.S. never officially adopted the changes made to the British system in 1824, and has no intention of reverting back to it.

The British discarded their previous units of measure in favor of the Imperial system in 1824, but the U.S. never switched. Pre-Imperial units are no longer legally recognized as units of trade in the U.S., and the Imperial system is not in widespread use within the country. Thus, there is no compelling reason for the U.S. to consider reinstating these units.

The Legal Standing of Metric Units in the U.S.

The idea that the U.S. does not use the metric system is a misconception. The U.S. has a long standing commitment to the metric system, as evidenced by the Metric Act of 1866, which legalized the metric system in the country. By 1988, Congress reinforced this commitment by adopting a national policy that the International System of Units (SI) is the preferred system of weights and measures for trade and commerce. This policy also noted that the decision to metricate must be made voluntarily, reflecting the U.S.'s dedication to this system.

The U.S. has consistently supported and utilized the metric system in various sectors, including science, medicine, and international trade. The U.S. is also an original signatory to the 1875 Treaty of the Meter, which legally recognized the metric system. These actions demonstrate the U.S.'s commitment to the metric system and its legal standing within the country.

Practicalities and Resistance to Demetrication

The question of whether the U.S. should force other nations to revert to the Imperial system is a complex one. There would be significant resistance within the U.S. to such a move, as many sectors of industry are already working within the metric system. Business operations, especially those with international customers, would face substantial challenges if forced to switch to the Imperial system. In addition, science and medicine in the U.S. are primarily conducted in metric units, making a change impractical and highly disruptive.

Moreover, most goods sold in the U.S. are required to have net contents specified in both Customary and SI metric units. This requirement ensures that consumers and businesses can easily switch between systems as needed, without the need for forced demetrication. The structure of the U.S. economy and trade is already heavily reliant on the metric system, making the concept of demetrication anachronistic and impractical.

In conclusion, the U.S. has no interest in enforcing the use of the Imperial system. Instead, the U.S. would likely focus on ensuring that non-volunteers within its own borders fully adopt the metric system. This aligns with the country's long-standing commitment to the metric system and the practical realities of its current economic and scientific landscape.