The bill entailed that the United States would remain neutral in the Napoleonic wars. The bill was introduced because the British and France navy used to seize ships from Americans. The bill stated that if a party would stop taking ships, Americans would in return stop trading with the opposing side, which meant "if you don't take our ships, we won't trade with your opponents".
Us Trade was opened to France and Britain with the caveat that if either nation refrained from interfering with neutral trade/the US government would terminate trade with the other nation.
