Office of the Historian

550.S1 Washington/535

Joint Statement by President Roosevelt and the Argentine Ambassador to France (Le Breton)84
May 6, 1933

The conversations85 in which we have been engaged had as purpose the fullest possible exchange of views and ideas between our two countries upon the tasks that confront all countries at the coming Economic Conference. They were inspired by the wish to examine all possible phases of economic and monetary policy which by international action might restore employment, improve prices and the turnover of trade, and aid in the solution of financial and monetary difficulties. The exchange of views was to prepare the way for action between all countries, and not to lead at the moment to definite agreements.

The conversations have been characterized by the spirit of warm friendship that has long existed between these two countries, and by the quick and friendly understanding of each other’s minds and spirit which has grown up between the two countries whose history has made us neighbors in mind and feeling.

We have joined in the realization that the gradual and simultaneous economic disarmament of the world is imperative, and the restoration of stable monetary conditions. We have surveyed with a close similarity of views and judgments the ways and means of bringing about an increased movement of trade between the two countries and throughout the world. We have entered into related questions of trade policy86 in which the two Governments have an important and immediate concern.

These conversations, we believe, will greatly help to forward the common purposes that we have, and to prepare the way for undertakings at the Economic Conference and the development of the mutual interests of the two countries. In warm friendship we will continue to carry forward this work.

  1. Issued by the White House as a press release, May 6, 1933; reprinted from Department of State, Press Releases, May 13, 1933, p. 327.↩
  2. Further conversations between American and Argentine representatives were held May 2 and 3; see Department of State, Press Releases, May 6, 1933, p. 306.↩
  3. For correspondence relating to trade policies concerning the United States and Argentina, see vol. iv, pp. 642 ff.↩