612.116/9–2044

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)

[Extract]
No. 6283

Sir: …

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you perceive no objection you may, in your discretion as to time and circumstances, discuss with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and with the President this Government’s concern at the apparently’ irreconcilable attitude of Mr. Suárez and officials of his Ministry toward the matter of easing international economic controls, and express the hope that a way will be found for Mexico to cooperate fully in giving effect to the foregoing principles.

The Department views with considerable concern the fact that the Mexican Government has, for the purpose of controlling imports of [Page 1231] a single commodity, decided to bring into effect at this time the decree of April 15 providing for the control of imports into Mexico.83 Now that the decree has been made effective, presumably it will be utilized more readily for the control of other imports. It is hoped that the Finance Minister will, in accordance with his informal agreement with you, as mentioned in despatch no. 18369 of June 24, consult with you before placing additional import controls in effect, with a view to ascertaining whether other means of solving current problems may be found. Favorable results of consultation are of course somewhat doubtful because of the attitude toward economic controls evidenced by the Finance Minister and his associates.

The application of import controls to lard, and the imminent institution of additional controls, is most discouraging in view of the efforts which this Government has made to make products of various kinds in short supply in the United States available to Mexico with a view to assisting the Mexican Government to provide Mexican consumers with larger quantities of goods at lower prices, and to control its current inflationary problems. A continuing trend in that direction will undoubtedly react unfavorably in further consideration of efforts by this Government to assist the Mexican Government in its general supply problems.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:
A. A. Berle, Jr.
  1. On July 27, 1944, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit published in the Diario Oficial Circular No. 309–2–82, listing hog lard as merchandise subject to the import restrictions authorized by the decree signed April 15, as published in the Diario Oficial on May 12 (612.116/8–344).