 In 1800, following the example of the "Empress of China", the first American trading vessel to China, Astor traded furs, teas, and sandalwood with Canton in China, and greatly benefited from it.The U.S. Embargo Act in 1807, however, disrupted Astor's import/export business because it closed off trade with Canada.With the permission of President Thomas Jefferson, Astor established the American Fur Company on April 6, 1808.