611.5231/406: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Moore)
11. Your No. 13. April 17, 4 p.m. The Department notes that the Spanish Government would be willing to continue the present commercial arrangement for another period of one year if this Government should be favorably inclined to re-examine the situation with respect to the importation of Almeria grapes.
The present arrangement is not entirely satisfactory to this Government (1) because of the necessity for renewal of the agreement periodically, and (2) because of the fact that this Government is not entitled under the agreement, to claim for American products imported into Spain the benefit of reductions made by Spain in agreements entered into with other Governments subsequent to November 5, 1923, the date on which the present arrangement first became operative, while the United States on its part is according to all Spanish products most-favored-nation treatment.
While the Department cannot admit that the situation with respect to grapes has any proper bearing on the commercial relationship, it is considering the suggestion that this Government should re-examine the situation with respect to the importation of Almeria grapes and desires that meanwhile you should endeavor to obtain the following information: (1) whether the Spanish Government would be willing to continue the commercial arrangement indefinitely after the expiration of one year, subject to termination on three months’ notice, or upon the conclusion of a treaty of commerce, and (2) whether it would be willing to accord to the United States, upon request through your Embassy, the benefits of any tariff concessions which have been made to any other country since November 5, 1923, or which may hereafter be made with respect to any article of interest to the trade of the United States.