This chapter traces the evolution of American interests in external property rights from the American Revolution to the present day. It examines the United States’ colonial experience in the Philippines, highlighting the challenges of implementing effective property rights reforms and the prioritization of other economic interests over property rights. The chapter identifies a pivotal shift in the 1980s toward prioritizing property rights abroad, influenced by the lobbying efforts of American firms and the growing salience of the trade deficit. It presents original data involving over a dozen government agencies, 160 countries, and more than 340 unique activities, illustrating the extensive scope and scale of United States’ efforts to enhance property rights globally through a multifaceted approach encompassing international treaties, domestic development programs, and bureaucratic initiatives.