[jerseygirl]

"We will strike U.S. trade in the Gulf." Wonder what they mean by this?

[PigRigger]

"We will strike U.S. trade in the Gulf. - Wonder what they mean by this?"

Oil Refineries on the east, west, and gulf coasts. Possible, explanation.

[Ichneumon]

"We will strike U.S. trade in the Gulf." Wonder what they mean by this?

I'd guess either US interests in the Persian Gulf, or the Gulf of Mexico. If the Gulf of Mexico, that would probably mean either offshore oil rigs, or shipping of some sort.