318. Memorandum by President Johnson1

MEMORANDUM FOR

  • Secretary of State
  • Secretary of the Treasury
  • Secretary of Commerce

I have approved your proposed presentation to the Canadians regarding possible application of countervailing duties on auto parts and creation of a joint task force for dealing with the problem.2

In view of the difficult economic and political issues involved, I think it essential that we do everything possible to find an agreed solution that does not require countervailing duties. Before final determination of the legal issue on duties, therefore, I would appreciate a report on the status of discussions with Canada and of prospects for a mutually satisfactory alternative solution to this problem.

Lyndon B. Johnson
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Canada, Vol. 2. Confidential.↩
  2. Apparent reference to papers on U.S. tariff reclassification of auto parts and Canadian auto parts export schemes prepared for the 9th meeting of the Joint U.S.-Canadian Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs, held at Ottawa April 29-30. Copies of the papers are in the National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Conference Files: Lot 66 D 110, CF 2390. For a report on this meeting, see Document 319.↩