Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Foreign Economic Policy; Foreign Information Program, Volume IX

35. Message From Prime Minister Eden to President Eisenhower¹

London, July 1, 1955.

Dear Mr. President: I must approach you about two decisions which are causing us much concern here and which I understand may be shortly taken in the United States. One concerns the awarding of further contracts for the Chief Joseph Dam,² and the other is in regard to the application for increased duties on bicycles.

It is my earnest hope that it will be possible to avoid any action in these cases which would run counter to the liberal trade policies we have both been pursuing. Any such action would, in my sincere view, be likely to cause quite disproportionate harm in this country and in Western Europe. Adverse public reactions here and in Europe must hinder the efforts we are all making to expand trade both ways with the United States.

My colleagues and I have been much encouraged by your success in getting the recommendations of the Randall Commission³ accepted. The first fruits of this have been the renewal of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act for a further three years. I do feel, however, that any action, especially at this time, which would throw doubt upon the determination of your great country to pursue liberal trade policies would go far to destroy hopes in the free world which no one has done as much as you to build up.

I know how difficult these questions can be but do please help us in these two issues if you can.⁴

Yours ever,

Anthony⁵

1. Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204, Eden to Eisenhower, 1955–1956, vol. I. Confidential.
2. The English Electric and Export Company was currently bidding for the contract to install six generators and three transformers for the Chief Joseph Dam in the United States.
3. The Commission on Foreign Economic Policy, commonly called the Randall Commission after its chairman Clarence Randall, was established on August 7, 1953, by enactment of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1953 (Public Law 215). Composed of representatives from both the Executive and Legislative branches, the Commission undertook a broad review of recent U.S. foreign economic policy, publishing its Report to the President and Congress in January 1954. Documentation on the formation and activities of the Commission is printed in Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. I, Part 1, pp. 49 ff.
4. President Eisenhower cabled the following response to Prime Minister Eden on July 1: “I shall, of course, give sympathetic consideration to your letter. Possibly I can do something that you will at least partially approve. I hope so.” (Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204, Eisenhower to Eden, 1955–1956, vol. I)
5. Printed from a copy which bears this typed signature.