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

296. Memorandum From Secretary of Commerce Connor to President Johnson¹

Washington, October 25, 1965.

SUBJECT

• Weekly Briefing Report

Joint Mexico-U.S. Trade Committee Holds First Meeting

The Joint Mexico-U.S. Trade Committee, the first effort by both governments to create a permanent institution for the regular exchange of views on ways to promote mutually beneficial trade, met last week in Washington.

The discussions covered a wide variety of subjects affecting trade between Mexico and the United States, including the commercial policies of the two countries, impediments to the expansion of trade, export promotion activities, and the role of certain multi-national bodies in promoting international trade.

As a result of these discussions, the Department of Commerce now is preparing, as requested by the Mexican Delegation, documentation on problem cases arising from Mexico’s restrictive import policy; trade data showing important losses arising from Mexican policies; and a list of suggested items to be admitted into Mexico on at least a token basis. The Department is also cooperating with the Mexican Government to develop export promotion techniques, including the exploration of U.S. market possibilities for certain Mexican exports.

Agreement was also reached on formal consultation procedures under which the United States and Mexico will each consult with the other on trade policy moves whenever possible before taking unilateral actions that would affect trade between the two countries.

[Here follow six items on unrelated subjects.]

John T. Connor ²

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 40, Secretary of Commerce Files: FRC 71 A 6617, White House Briefing Memoranda. No classification marking.
2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.