310. Editorial Note
On May 3 and 4, 1966, the chemical sector group, one of the groups established to negotiate in the industrial area of GATT, held its first meetings. The United States, Switzerland, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Economic Community participated in these meetings at which they completed the tabling of their initial tariff offers in the chemical sector. It was understood that the participants would also discuss other matters, such as the American selling price (ASP), in parallel with the offers.
During these meetings, Deputy Representative Blumenthal made a detailed statement of the U.S. position on chemicals, including the American selling price. He advanced a working hypothesis that might eliminate the ASP valuation system for the United States in return for concessions from the others. He also noted that any such agreement by the United States would require legislation. A report of the meeting was transmitted in airgram Tagg A–840 from Geneva, May 14. (Department of State, Central Files, FT 7 GATT)
This airgram also summarized meetings of the sector group on steel beginning on May 5, the group on antidumping policies on May 10 and 11, and negotiations and renegotiations with various countries on the U.S. revised tariff schedules in late April and early May.