Before officially entering ww1 the USA was involved in the war because?

The USA was involved in the war because of trade with the United Kingdom

Explanation:

Before entering WWI, the United States was sending the United Kingdom food, ammunition, and weapons to keep their war efforts alive. The German Empire, not liking how the United Kingdom was still able to fight, sent a telegram to mexico, asking if they were ever going to join the war, and if they did, to join the central powers. Luckily, the UK intercepted the message, and showed it to the United States. That then lead to the United States declaring war on the German Empire.