833.5151/459: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Uruguay (Reed)
3. Your telegram no. 3, January 10, 3 p.m. Please seek an early interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs44 and express to him the views of this Government along the following lines:
The Government of the United States has been caused serious concern by the latest developments in the administration of the Uruguayan exchange control. If, as seems to be the case, the Government of Uruguay through official action intends to permit the importation into Uruguay of goods from certain foreign countries while at the same time preventing importation of similar goods from the United States, this Government is reluctantly obliged to protest. As is well known, Uruguayan exports of all categories are accorded access to the markets of the United States under conditions as favorable as those accorded to goods from any foreign country (except Cuba); and the United States has traditionally been an important market for Uruguayan products.
As is well known, the Government of the United States is desirous of strengthening still further the relations of commerce and friendship which have traditionally united the two countries. It is for this reason that this Government earnestly hopes that such official action as the Government of Uruguay may take in regulating its foreign trade may be directed towards furthering, rather than discouraging, trade between the two countries.
The Department believes that your action in this matter should be independent of any action which may be taken by the American Chamber of Commerce in Uruguay, although the advantages of your keeping in close touch with that chamber are fully realized.
- José Espalter.↩