394.31/2–951: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation to the Torquay Conference, at Torquay, England
367. Interagency mtg held, with reps of State, Treas, Agric, ECA, Labor, Commerce and TarCom present, to reconsider appropriate policy re Van Blankenstein proposals in light House action on Trade Agreements Act. Agreed that in view urgency completing Torquay bilateral negots at earliest possible date and in view impaired US ability urge constructive action by other countries, we can no longer pursue previous plan to press strongly for widest possible MN tariff reductions at Torquay. Since way must still be found to provide basis for Benelux signature to Torquay protocol, agreed that chief US objective shld be to help in reaching some area agreement at Torquay sufficient to provide such basis. Discretion to choose among courses action most likely achieve these objectives placed in del. Hope you can defer any final decisions at Torquay which wld prejudice this general approach, until Corse arrives early next week.