317. Letter From President Eisenhower to President Ruiz Cortines 1
Dear Mr. President: I am sure you already know that, contrary to my hopes and expectations, the Minerals Stabilization Plan proposed as an alternative to acceptance of the recommendations of the United States Tariff Commission, was defeated by a narrow margin in the House of Representatives.
[Page 844]Following this development, the Department of State, in cooperation with your distinguished Ambassador in Washington, approached a number of the major exporting countries in an attempt to obtain multilateral agreement to a temporary reduction of exports. This would have allowed an adequate period of time for study of the causes of the imbalance between world production of and demand for lead and zinc and for exploring the best way of coping with this problem. These discussions, and the subsequent discussions which took place in London under the auspices of the United Nations, revealed that while a majority of the interested nations were willing to undertake a study of the longer term problem, a temporary arrangement to deal with the present emergency would not be feasible.
Meanwhile, I hope that you will agree with me that all of the lead and zinc producing nations face a serious and immediate problem of oversupply. I cannot disagree with the unanimous finding of the Tariff Commission that the United States domestic industry is in genuine distress. It has already reduced its production by very substantial amounts and in spite of the accumulation of large stocks and the decreased demand, imports have continued at a very high level. I have, therefore, felt obliged to take immediate action. In searching for the type of action which would be consistent with the spirit of the multilateral discussions which are in progress and which would operate to share equitably the burden of dealing with the present emergency I have decided to impose quotas. I am hopeful that this action will prevent a further decline in prices which Mexican exporters obtain in the United States market.
Meanwhile, I have instructed the Department of State to continue its efforts in cooperation with representatives of your Government and other governments to expedite multilateral consideration of this problem with the objective of finding ways to eliminate the current imbalance between production and consumption.
I am happy to have this opportunity again to renew to you my personal assurance of the high esteem and respect which I hold for you and the Mexican nation.
Sincerely,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 800.25/9–2058. Official Use Only; Presidential Handling. Transmitted in telegram 511 to Mexico City, September 20, which is the source text. President Eisenhower approved the content of the message on September 19 upon the recommendation of Acting Secretary Herter. (Memorandum from Dudley W. Miller, Executive Secretariat, to Devine, September 22; ibid., ARA Special Assistant’s Files: Lot 60 D 371, Lead and Zinc) Telegram 511 was drafted by Elizabeth McGrory of the Office of Caribbean and Mexican Affairs, and cleared with Goodpaster.↩
- Telegram 511 bears this typed signature.↩