Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume VIII, International Monetary and Trade Policy

275. Memorandum From the Deputy Special Representative for Trade Negotiations (Roth) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)¹

Washington, February 9, 1965.

Secretary Freeman had breakfast with Mansholt this morning. He said he was quite sharp with him, indicating that there was a deep concern here over the delay in agricultural negotiations and in the rigid insistence of the Community on the montant de soutien formula.

He said there was real danger particularly in the grains that a price war could come about and that this would have serious consequences for world agriculture. U.S. supports and farmer returns were going down, whereas the opposite trend was apparent within the Community.

He urged three things on Mansholt: (1) that he review the September date and attempt to establish an earlier one, (2) that grains negotiations begin immediately and that the Community proceed with their offers unequivocally, (3) that the tabling of agricultural offers in all sectors not be conditional on additional discussions between now and the date of tabling.

Freeman said he thought the talk was a good one and that an impression had been made on Mansholt.

William M. Roth ²

1. Source: Kennedy Library, Herter Papers, McGeorge Bundy, Box 7. No classification marking. Drafted by Roth. The source text bears Herter’s handwritten initials.
2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.