stresemann was not, however, in any sense pro-french. his main preoccupation was how to free germany from the burden of reparations payments to britain and france, imposed by the treaty of versailles. his strategy for this was to forge an economic alliance with the united states. the u.s. was germany's main source of food and raw materials, and one of germany's largest export markets for manufactured goods. germany's economic recovery was thus in the interests of the u.s., and gave the u.s. an incentive to help germany escape from the reparations burden. the dawes and young plans were the result of this strategy. stresemann had a close relationship with herbert hoover, who was secretary of commerce in 1921-28 and president from 1929. this strategy worked remarkably well until it was derailed by the great depression after stresemann's death.