106. Editorial Note
President Eisenhower traveled to Europe August 26–September 7 to consult with leaders in Bonn, London, and Paris. On August 31, he and British Prime Minister Macmillan made a joint report to the people of the United Kingdom on U.S.-U.K. solidarity. The report was televised live from the Prime Minister’s residence at No. 10 Downing Street. In their comments on international development, they mentioned the importance of expanding international trade. For texts of their statements, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1959, pages 906–911.
On September 1, Secretary Herter and other members of the President’s party met with Foreign Secretary Lloyd and three other British officials. During their discussion of British dollar restrictions, Herter stated “that the United States hoped the U.K. would be able to remove remaining dollar restrictions. There were not too many, but those which did remain were hard to explain in view of present trends strengthening Europe’s financial position. Mr. Lloyd said that the Foreign Office and Treasury were sympathetic to this request. This was not, however, a favorable time to raise the subject. While he could not promise anything, he suggested that it might better be raised again in about two months.” (US/MC/23; Washington National Records Center, RG 59, Conference Files: FRC 83–0068, CF 1449)
Herter also discussed dollar restrictions with French Foreign Minister Couve de Murville in Paris on September 4:
“The Secretary raised the problem of dollar restrictions in France. Ambassador Houghton remarked that while a large part of the imports from the US are now free, there remain several restrictions. Couve replied that a new series of concessions were expected for October and said that like everyone else the French are moving toward liberty in this field, particularly as regards agricultural products. He expressed the opinion that quotas would probably have disappeared in a year’s [Page 228] time. He is, however, aware that there has been discrimination since the war. He himself, however, is all for liberalization.” (US/MC/35; ibid.)