693.0031/12–1844
The Appointed Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
No. 15
Chungking, December 18,
1944.
[Received January 8, 1945.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s
telegram No. 1522, November 23, 5 p.m., and to the Embassy’s telegram No.
1978, December 8, 11 a.m., regarding a statement of commercial policies
reportedly under consideration by the Chinese Government, and to enclose a
copy of an oral statement on that subject dated December 1, 1944, which was
handed by an officer of the Embassy on December 2 to Dr. K. C. Wu, Political
Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs.
As indicated in the Embassy’s reference telegram, Dr. Wu stated on December 2
that he had no knowledge of such a statement but would investigate the
matter. On December 7, he stated informally to an officer of the Embassy
that no statement had been drawn up but that proposals to do so had been
made by interested Chinese officials and that an official response to the
Embassy’s approach would be made soon.
Respectfully yours,
For the Appointed Ambassador:
George Atcheson, Jr.
[Enclosure]
The American Embassy to the
Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Oral Statement
It is understood that the Chinese Government has under preparation a
statement of general principles governing postwar commercial policy
which may contemplate, inter alia, the adoption
by the Chinese-Government of a moderately high tariff with provisions
for adjustment on a bilateral rather than a most favored nation basis.
It is also understood that the statement is in an advanced stage of
preparation for public issuance in the near future.
The American Government is concerned lest this statement may-commit the
Chinese Government to the adoption of commercial policies at variance
with the principles stated in the Atlantic Charter and in the Mutual Aid
Agreement between the United States and China, and with the liberal
trade policies to which the American: Government is endeavoring to
obtain general adherence. In this, connection, attention may be invited
to the importance which the American Government attaches to the
principles of the enjoyment by all nations of access on equal terms to
trade and of collaboration in the economic field which are enumerated in
the Charter, and to the provisions of Article VII of the Mutual Aid
Agreement which looks toward the elimination of all forms of
discriminatory treatment in international trade and in the reduction of
tariff and other trade-barriers.
Adoption by the Chinese Government of a statement of postwar commercial
policies calling for increased tariff protection, with provision for
adjusting tariff rates on a bilateral rather than a most favored nation
basis, does not appear to be capable of reconciliation with the
foregoing principles. Further, adoption of such a statement would
increase the difficulties encountered by the American Government in its
efforts, at home and abroad, to gain widespread adoption and
implementation of liberal trade policies. In this task the American
Government has relied on the wholehearted support and cooperation of the
Chinese Government.
The American Government is consequently concerned as to the precise
wording of the proposed statement and the hope is expressed that the
Chinese Government will not adopt a statement on commercial policy which
would make more difficult the negotiation of the proposed Sino-American
treaty of friendship and commerce.
Chungking, December 1,
1944.
