611.2331/59: Telegram

The Ambassador in Peru (Dearing) to the Secretary of State

36. Referring to my despatch No. 4592 of June 9,30 and to Commercial Attaché’s special report No. 105 of June 15.31 The collaboration of the Commercial Attaché enables me to report as follows:

1.
According to unofficial information, which, however, appears authentic, the Anglo-Peruvian commercial agreement which is expected to be signed in the next few days apparently reduces Peruvian rates of import duty for the United Kingdom only, on products representing approximately 19 per cent of Peruvian imports from the United Kingdom, and binds its rates on products representing about 24 per cent of the same. The reduced rates apparently not applicable to the United States and hence discriminatory, affect roughly 2 per cent of Peruvian imports from the United States, while bindings affect about 5 per cent of the same.
2.
Peru assures the United Kingdom of unconditional most-favored-nation rates.
3.
Provision is made for the immediate application of articles 4 and 5 which reduce or bind rates, pending ratification.
4.
In a section headed confidential, the Peruvian Government undertakes to give instructions to the different Ministries and dependencies to give preference to the purchase of goods from the United Kingdom when conditions improved, price and quality equal.

In view of this development, the Department’s opinion is requested concerning the advisability of undertaking preliminary exploratory conversations for a trade agreement between the United States and Peru32 pending full verification of the foregoing.

Further report with text of Peruvian-British agreement by air mail.

Please communicate numbered paragraphs above to Commerce.

Dearing
  1. Post, p. 930.
  2. Not found in Department files.
  3. See pp. 928 ff.