611.5831/232a
The Assistant Secretary of State (Sayre) to the Swedish Minister (Boström)
My Dear Mr. Minister: I am sorry that it was impossible to confer with the President prior to his departure with regard to specific concessions to be granted to Sweden in the present trade agreement negotiations. As a matter of general policy we make it a practice to obtain the President’s approval in such matters prior to discussing the proposed concessions with the representatives of other governments. In this particular instance, however, I understand the necessity for avoiding the loss of time in our negotiations with you, and we have authorized, on that account, our representatives in the negotiations to discuss [Page 740] with you various possible concessions on Swedish products to be embodied in the trade agreement. I am sure that you understand that these discussions must necessarily be without commitment of any kind, and that whatever proposals may be made on our side will be subject entirely to the President’s approval.
I am [etc.]