611.3531/146a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Argentina (White)

52. The President yesterday informed the Argentine Ambassador that he would authorize the Department of State to begin an exploratory study of the possibilities of our negotiating a trade agreement with the Argentine Government, and also to undertake preliminary conversations with the Argentine Ambassador here in that connection. I desire to emphasize that the studies and discussions would be purely informal and of an exploratory character, and that it is not contemplated to undertake formal negotiations unless both governments are convinced that beneficial trade agreements can in fact be reached. The Ambassador has informed me that, if his Government is sympathetic to this plan, he may ask to have someone sent to Washington from Buenos Aires to cooperate with him in the conversations. You may bring this informally and orally to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and report promptly his comments.

Phillips