Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969–1972

330. Memorandum From C. Fred Bergsten of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)¹

Washington, November 5, 1970.

SUBJECT

• Failure of Agencies to Clear with Us on Policy toward New U.K. Agricultural Program

Per your instruction, I informed Nat Samuels this morning of your displeasure—particularly in view of the coming Heath visit—that the White House was not consulted before (a) State gave the British a note outlining our unhappiness over the trade implications of their newly announced agricultural policy,² and (b) State’s public statement on the subject yesterday.³

Samuels recognized that he should have done so. He apologized, and assured me that any further steps would be fully coordinated with us. As I predicted, he viewed his action as moderating what the economic agencies might otherwise have done.

A related issue is a letter sent by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the President, Secretary of State, and all of the economic agencies recommending a tough U.S. position toward the Common Market,⁴ especially regarding British entry. I reminded Samuels that NSDM 68⁵ gave the Under Secretaries Committee the responsibility for coordinating our public statements concerning EC policy, and that I expected him to do so to avoid any disparate responses from the economic agencies. He assured me that he would.

Substantively, the economic aspects of the EC expansion negotiations remain a major problem. The British move on agricultural trade has exacerbated the problem significantly and accelerated its timetable. I will shortly send you a proposed White House reply to the Chamber of Commerce letter, and an information memorandum outlining the nature and significance of the British move.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 727, Country Files—Europe, United Kingdom, Vol. IV. No classification marking. Sent for information. A copy was sent to Sonnenfeldt. An note by Kissinger, date-stamped November 13, reads: “Good work—HK.”
2. Not found.
3. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, November 30, 1970, p. 677.
4. Not found.
5. Document 45.