96. Editorial Note

In a memorandum to Dodge, February 10, Hoover discussed the recent talks between Eisenhower and Eden regarding strategic trade controls. He explained that during those talks the President informed the Prime Minister that he would submit the list of items that the British had proposed for decontrol to Dodge as Chairman of the Council on Foreign Economic Policy. “The President indicated,” Hoover noted, “that the purpose of this reference would be for the U.S. experts to examine the British proposals, and their implications, as well as other aspects of the problem, and make recommendations as to whether adjustments to the net benefit of the Free World could be made in the embargo lists within the continued application of the basic policy to maintain substantial differential controls through the multilateral control organization.” (Department of State, Central Files, 493.009/2–1056) The British list of items for decontrol was identical to the list presented in the aide-mémoire of January 3.

On February 13, Dodge sent a memorandum to DeLany, instructing him as Chairman of the Economic Defense Advisory Committee to initiate a review of the British list for consideration by the CFEP. He requested that the review be completed by March 1. “Specifically,” Dodge explained, “the review by EDAC should analyze and appraise the items on the British differential list to determine:

  • “(a) Items of greatest and least advantage to the military potential of Communist China.
  • “(b) Items the export of which would be of particular advantage to the other Free World Governments.
  • “(c) Items the export of which would be of substantial immediate or potential commercial benefit to Japan.” (Eisenhower Library, CFEP Records)