835.5151/419
The Department of State to the Argentine Embassy
Memorandum
The Department is informed of the decree of the Argentine Minister for Finance of April 13, last, stipulating that from April 22 merchandise for which official exchange permits have not been accorded may be imported into Argentina only upon payment of a surcharge of twenty percent of its value, calculated at the official exchange rate.
While this Government appreciates the general purposes of Argentine Law No. 12160, under the authority of which it is understood the decree in question was issued, the decree will affect established American trade with Argentina. It is earnestly hoped, therefore, that the Argentine Government will reconsider its terms. In any event, this Government hopes that the Argentine Government will suspend the enforcement of the decree for a period of sixty days, so as not to affect merchandise contracted for prior to the decree and in transit.