Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Foreign Aid and Economic Defense Policy, Volume X

253. Memorandum From the President to the Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization (Gray)¹

Washington, April 25, 1957.

I have your memorandum dated April 23, 1957 advising that you have reason to believe that crude oil is being imported into the United States in such quantities as to threaten to impair the national security.²

The problem of oil imports is one with which I am already generally familiar. As you know, my Advisory Committee on Energy Supplies and Resources Policy has reported to me on the matter from time to time.

On the basis of presently available information I agree that there is reason for the belief that crude oil is being imported in such quantities as to threaten to impair the national security. I shall, therefore, cause an investigation to be made to determine the facts as required by Section 7 of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1955.

While this investigation is going on I request that you carefully examine into the possibility that oil imports might effectively be limited by individual voluntary action of the importing companies. It seems to me that there would be advantages in adjusting imports in that fashion if it is practicable to do so. If the finding and recommendations resulting from the investigation which I shall cause to be made result in my determining that an impairment of the national security is in fact threatened, it will be important for me to know whether an adjustment of the imports can be accomplished voluntarily, or whether other measures may be necessary.³

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Areeda Papers, National Security Council: Oil. No drafting information is given on the source text.
2. Document 250.
3. The source text is unsigned.