611.5831/89
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The Swedish Minister called and asked about possibilities of progress in the matter of a reciprocal commercial treaty between Sweden and the United States. I told him that many of us here were most anxious, if possible, to liberalize commercial policy and restore international trade and that I had used every opportunity which presented itself to advance such program. I said that the United States and other countries had been going through a period of extreme economic nationalism and isolation, and a vast amount of blind or selfish sentiment had been created in its support; that time and patience were necessary on the part of all interested governments, as progress might be slow, but that we should continue in every possible way to advance a liberalized commercial policy and program. I stated further that it was hoped the President would soon ask Congress for authority to negotiate and place in operation proposed reciprocal commercial treaties without ratification by the Senate.