Rubber was a strategically important commodity , and Liberia assured the U.S. and its allies of all the natural rubber they needed .
In 1942 , Liberia signed a Defense Pact with the United States .
Rubber was a strategically important commodity , and Liberia assured the United States and Liberia 's allies of all the natural rubber they needed .
In 1942 , Liberia signed a Defense Pact with the United States .