Think about that for a second: when horses stiffen and resist, their musculature becomes paralyzed for the duration of that resistance.

想一秒钟：当马僵硬抗拒，他们的肌肉组织在抗拒过程中变得不能行动自如。

In any case, the United States had no choice but to stiffen its position, whether in preparation for negotiation or for resistance.

无论如何，不管是准备谈判还是准备抵抗，美国除了强化自己的地位以外，已别无选择。