861.51/3028: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 10—9:28 a.m.]
437. For Hopkins. With further reference to our exchange of cables regarding the Soviet Protocol and reconstruction, I had an opportunity to discuss with Mikoyan in most general terms the question of whether any long-term credit, which might be granted by us, should include some provision for repayment in goods. His off-hand reaction is that this would complicate rather than facilitate the matter because of the difficulty of setting prices now for future deliveries, as well as determining what the Soviets would then be able to ship. He indicated that it would be easier for the Soviet Government to plan ways of repaying us in cash resulting from their overall world trade.
I am inclined to share this view from our own standpoint as well for many reasons, particularly, as it is so difficult to predict now our future requirements for commodities.