611.3531/1016: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina (Armour) to the Secretary of State

175. Department’s telegram No. 152, September 12, 7 p.m. Last night the Argentine Government presented the subcommittee with a note dated September 18 and addressed to me requesting amplification of the list of articles concerning which the United States will consider granting tariff concessions. Recalling that in its memorandum of August 1230 the right was reserved to include other products for consideration, the note states in translation:

“The events of the last few days make the extension of the tariff concessions to be accorded by the United States to Argentina, especially desirable. A considerable increase in our purchases of United States products being evident, we must concern ourselves with bettering the outlook of our exports to the United States.

It is for this reason that the list includes some import classifications in which Argentina has not had a predominant share, but which, by their nature can be easily produced and manufactured in this country.”

The additional list together with the corresponding 1930 United States tariff numbers is as follows: 41 casein glue, 42 refined glycerine, 207 fluorspar, 703 hams and shoulders, 709 butter, 712 chickens and ducks, 713 eggs, egg yolk and egg albumen, 725 macaroni, noodles, et cetera, 730 oil cake, 738 apple cider, 745 peaches, green, ripe or in brine, 748 prunes, plums, green, ripe or in brine, 772 canned, prepared or preserved tomatoes, 765 to 775 fresh and dried vegetables (seasonal periods only), 775 hash of vegetables and/or fish, 806 concentrated grape juice, without number, vinic alcohol, 1102 wool N E S and Angora goat, Cashmere goat and Alpaca hair, 1530 goat and sheepskins rough tanned, 1558 grape oil (desired that it be despatched under this paragraph), 1611 crude tartaric acid, 1681 kid, water hog, weasel, wild cat, snake, toad, hare, skunk, and penguin skins, 1688 cattle and other animal hair, 1693 and 1694 hoofs, horns, skirts, and tips, 1755 casings et cetera, NBS without number cracklings and stearine.

Of the 37 items (34 tariff numbers) listed, 10 fall within the tariff classifications of articles included in the list submitted to the Argentine Government and later published but represent additions of specific products. Fourteen items cover new classifications not previously mentioned, but which are already subject either to binding or to special duties under one or more effective reciprocal trade agreements. Ten items refer to new classifications not now subject to any reciprocal trade agreement and three items are not classified according to tariff number.

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Of the last 13 items, not more than 7 were imported by the United States in substantial quantities during the years 1935 to 1937 inclusive. Of the 7, imports from Argentina were of consequence in only 2 cases. Moreover, it does not appear that this country would be able to displace any present principal supplier by reason of conditions resulting from the war in Europe. Of the entire list only butter seems to meet the requirements generally accepted as essential in our trade agreements procedure.

We have made every effort to dissuade the Argentine Government from making this request and its attention has been repeatedly invited to both the time element and assurances by Espil that additional Argentine products for consideration would not be requested. However, the Argentine officials appear to be definitely perplexed as to the possible effects of the war32 upon the country’s foreign trade, including the possibility of blocked balances in Great Britain.

I assume that in the absence of a new public announcement additional products could not be considered in the negotiations simply because they fall within the tariff classifications of other products mentioned in the list as already published. With respect to the articles covered in other trade agreements, some statement might be effective here indicating the probable duration of those agreements, namely, those with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Cuba and Belgium.

I would appreciate telegraph instructions regarding: (1) whether the Department is disposed to accept the additions requested by the Argentine Government; (2) if so what effect acceptance will have on the ultimate date for public hearings in the United States; and (3) whether acceptance will affect the date on which the American delegation will sail.

Armour
  1. Ante, p. 246.
  2. Tor correspondence concerning the European war, see Vol. i .