693.0031/11–1944: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Atcheson)
1522. The Department is concerned lest the statement which the Chinese Government has under consideration may commit that Government to post-war commercial policies at variance with principles set forth in the Atlantic Charter56 and in the Mutual Aid Agreement between the United States and China,57 and with the liberal trade policies to which this Government is endeavoring to obtain general adherence. Reurtel 1865, November 19, 10 a.m.
You should, unless you perceive strong objection, recall to the appropriate Chinese authorities the importance which this Government attaches [Page 1088] to the principles of enjoyment by all states of access on equal terms to trade, and of collaboration in the economic field, which are enunciated in the Charter. You should likewise recall to them the provisions of Article VII of the Mutual Aid Agreement, (ReDeptel 1238, September 4, 194358) which looks toward the elimination of all forms of discriminatory treatment in international commerce and the reduction of tariff and other trade barriers.
A statement of post-war policies calling for increased tariff protection, with provision for adjustment on a bilateral rather than a most-favored-nation basis, could scarcely be reconciled with the foregoing principles, or with the reported agreement of the Inter-Ministry Committee that a position which would be prejudicial to international cooperation or reduction of trade barriers should not be adopted. Adoption of such a statement would make more difficult the task of this Government in its efforts, at home and abroad, to secure general adherence to liberal trade policies, and the effective implementation of such policies, in which task this Government has counted on having the whole-hearted cooperation of the Chinese Government.
Reference should also be made to the proposed treaty of friendship and commerce.59 While your telegram 1864, November 19, 9 a.m., is generally reassuring, Department is concerned as to precise wording of the proposed statement of general principles. You should express the hope of this Government that no public statement will be made which by committing Chinese Government in advance will make more difficult negotiation of the treaty.