170. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France1
4719. Excon. China Trade Controls.
Dillon today called in Alphand to review China trade controls. Alphand was not informed on most recent developments, but said he had talked with Pineau after earlier presentation and found him very sympathetic to US view. Dillon explained that only important trading country now in position supporting British is France and urged consideration by France of desirability shifting position so as to maintain cooperative international arrangement. Maintenance of French position will inevitably affect Franco-American relations in other fields during coming months. Emphasized that Americans feel about China as France feels about Egypt, that US carries free world defense burden in Far East, and that failure to reach agreement likely have most unfortunate repercussions on US public opinion and Congressional circles despite what US Government might like or want. There is a feeling on part of Government at highest levels that other countries may not properly recognize US responsibilities or how we feel in the circumstances. Referred to fact that Japan is now prepared accept compromise proposal A, as well as a number of other trading nations. Further emphasized that elimination differential would probably not alter size of China trade but simply change composition to include items of greater strategic interest to Commie China. Alphand agreed that problem of trade with China was not important either politically or economically to France. He promised advise his Government at once and implied he would support US position of urging his Government accept proposal A.
Alphand informed Dillon that he had recommended to Paris that French support US compromise position in May 21 meeting. In view fact French Govt did not follow Alphand’s recommendation and has not bothered to inform him of recent developments, we concerned that his cables may not be getting high level consideration due present political crisis.
Therefore request Ambassador call on Pineau or Mollet this weekend to emphasize US position and urge acceptance Plan A compromise by Monday in final effort forestall UK unilateral action. French should also be asked to urge British at high level to accept [Page 464] majority desire for Plan A solution and refrain from unilateral action.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 493.009/5–2457. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Dillon and Willis C. Armstrong and approved by Dillon. Sent niact to Paris for Ambassador Houghton and passed to USRO/ST; repeated to Bonn, London, Ottawa, and Tokyo.↩
- In telegram 6029 from Paris, May 25, Ambassador Houghton reported that he called on Foreign Minister Pineau that afternoon to press again U.S. views on China trade controls. He reviewed the CHINCOM discussions and urged French acceptance of the Plan A compromise, pointing out that France was the only important trading country now supporting the United Kingdom. Houghton stressed Dulles’ and Eisenhower’s concern about this matter and asked the French to approach the British “at high level” and urge them to accept the desire of the majority of the PC’s for Plan A. “At this point,” the Ambassador reported, “Pineau replied latter point academic since he was informed that British Cabinet this morning decided definitely abolish CHINCOM controls for Britain. Re French support of Plan A, Pineau stated France unable change position supporting Plan B and British since decision do so originally taken by Cabinet prior fall Mollet Government and care-taking cabinet now empowered alter this decision. Furthermore, FonMin declared any reversal of support for British would have serious effect France-British relations.” (ibid., 493.009/5–2557) The Mollet government fell on May 21.↩