611.9131/93: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Iran (Engert)
50. Your 90, September 27. The Department has been pleased to receive the suggestion of the Iranian Government with regard to the resumption of trade agreement conversations. You may so inform the Foreign Office and explain that in view of the lapse of time since the discussions of 1935 and early 1936, it will be necessary to study the trade between the two countries, and in accordance with established practice, to consult with the other interested agencies of the Government before it will be possible to inform the Iranian Government that we are definitely prepared to resume the conversations. This study and the consultations are being undertaken and it is hoped that within the next few weeks it will be possible to give the Iranian Government a favorable reply.
[Page 758]The Department understands that the suggestion of the Iranian Government contemplates the negotiation of a definitive trade agreement, similar to those recently concluded by the United States with other countries, which would include, in addition to reciprocal trade concessions, general provisions governing the treatment to be accorded by each country to the commerce of the other and providing for unconditional most-favored-nation treatment in respect of all commercial matters.
Should further conversations be undertaken with Iran, it would of course be understood that some changes might be made in the list of desiderata which we gave the Iranian Government during the earlier conversations. It is assumed that the Iranian Government is familiar with this Government’s general practice of granting concessions only with respect to those products of which the country in question is the principal or an important supplier of United States imports.
The Department desires that the Legation prepare as soon as possible and with the collaboration of the Consulate a detailed report on Iranian trade restrictions containing suggestions as to specific concessions to be sought by us if negotiations are undertaken. When report is ready for mailing please summarize briefly by telegraph.
The Department’s mail instruction of September 1347 transmits memoranda containing background information relating to eventual trade agreement negotiations with Iran not touched upon in this telegram.
- Not printed.↩