611.60D31/9–545: Telegram

The Chargé in Finland (Hulley) to the Secretary of State

512. Commerce Minister Gartz informed me September 4 Finnish Government plans send trade delegation to USA soon as possible. He regretted publicity reported my 507, September 2.67 Delegation will include Walter Graesbeck of Finn Cellulose Union, Artturi Lehtinen, General Secretary Supply Ministry, Ragnar Smedslund of Commerce Section Foreign Office and possibly some technicians.

When I asked its objectives he said delegation will end commercial isolation of Finland as regards USA by renewing trade connections. [Page 655] Graesbeck will represent export potential and Lehtinen import potential. Smedslund who has rank of Counselor and was Commercial Attaché in Britain will be Secretary. Gartz saw no reason to connect delegation with appointment of Finnish Minister since Finnish Legation USA would take some time to start operating.68

Since recent conclusion of trade negotiations with Britain and Soviet Union, he has a clearer idea of Finnish needs from USA. Cited need of machinery and hoped USA could deliver more quickly than Britain.

Gartz sees practically no exportable Finnish surplus before last half of 1946. I believe he hopes use future exports as basis of credit for purchases now. Though we did not mention loans, previously discussed exhaustively, I expect Finnish delegates will try to obtain long term bank or commercial credits to finance their immediate needs.

It may be desirable to allow delegation to visit USA for sake our future in this market and to allow Finns obtain few key materials to help set their industry in full production and enable Finland recover economic health. See my 513, September 569 regarding delegation to Brazil.

Department’s reactions to this proposal are desired.70

Hulley
  1. Not printed.
  2. The Finnish Minister in Washington presented his credentials on November 21, 1945.
  3. Not printed.
  4. According to telegram 145, September 6, 3 p.m., to Helsinki, both the Department of State and the Department of Commerce approved the Finnish trade mission to the United States (611.60D31/9–545). The Finnish Trade Delegation arrived in New York in the second week of October and began discussions in Washington shortly thereafter.