Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

742.13/5–453

No. 969
Memorandum for the President by the Secretary of State¹

confidential

[Washington,] May 6, 1953.

• Subject: Visit of Canadian Prime Minister

This official visit of Mr. St. Laurent is partly for prestige purposes but mainly to establish personal contact with you in keeping with past practice and our special relationships with Canada. No specific subjects requiring decision or leading to future negotiations are expected.

The Prime Minister will seek an exchange of views regarding foreign policy and defense, probably taking your April 16 speech² as point of departure: your estimate of Soviet intentions, the threat in South East Asia, prospects in Korea and the future of NATO. The Canadians are fearful we will become overextended in Asia at the cost of Europe and NATO and will want to discuss priorities in Defense. We should let them know we count on their continued and enlarged support of NATO and in Korea.

The defense of North America will probably be discussed, with an estimate of the threat of Air Attack from the North, and need for radar installations. For political reasons the Prime Minister does not relish a large build-up of U.S. installations in Canada, will want Canadians to do more in defense of Canada, and will be worried about costs. You could reassure him of our respect for Canadian sovereignty and the fact that our mutual defense arrangements are always jointly agreed. From our viewpoint principles underlying our continental defense cooperation are satisfactory.

Views of the Canadian Government regarding the need to remove or lessen obstacles to trade will be discussed, probably with some fears voiced lest U.S. trade policy may be developing contrary to the interests of the free world in having international trade liberalized. Canada is heavily dependent upon U.S. trade.

The Prime Minister will underline the importance to Canada of making a quick start on the power phase of the St. Lawrence. You could mention the National Security Council’s conclusion that, on the seaway phase, it would be desirable for the U.S. to participate, which we hope continues to be agreeable to Canada, provided our participation in the seaway does not delay the power works.

I have papers on subjects mentioned above should details be required in the discussions.

John Foster Dulles

1. Drafted by Peterson.
2. The “Chance for Peace” address delivered before the American Society of Newspaper Editors and broadcast to the nation over radio and television networks, is printed in Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 27, 1953, p. 599.