They weren't (for the most part) paying tribute. They were putting their money somewhere safe - somewhere where the risks of default, inflation, and devaluation were lower than other places.
But I agree, now they're asking if they should continue, because those assumptions are starting to look invalid.
Comments
Yes, that's what's happening. They were paying tribute, based on a mutually beneficial status quo. Now they're asking if they should continue to.
They weren't (for the most part) paying tribute. They were putting their money somewhere safe - somewhere where the risks of default, inflation, and devaluation were lower than other places.
But I agree, now they're asking if they should continue, because those assumptions are starting to look invalid.