Historical Documents - Office of the Historian

Washington, June 11, 1980

Below is a summary of your telephone conversation with Trudeau on June 10:2

1.: Grain. You asked that Canada hold its grain shipments to the USSR in 1980–81 to this year’s level, noting that the EC and Australia would follow the US and Canadian lead. Trudeau said that the Cabinet planned to discuss the issue on June 16 and that he could probably give you a final answer at Venice, if not before. On a temporary basis, he would maintain shipments at the 1979–80 level until December, but he could not make any commitment beyond that. If the Cabinet agrees to the US request, there will be no problem. If not, he would be prepared to approach the issue a half-year at a time. Officials from both sides could meet to consider this approach. You acknowledged that this was helpful and said you would discuss it further at Venice.3 (C)
2.: Fisheries-Maritime Boundaries Treaty. Trudeau expressed concern about Senate review of the Treaty. He said we are getting close to a fish war despite Secretary Muskie’s efforts. You agreed that the matter is serious and noted that Lloyd Cutler is working with concerned Senators and fishing representatives.4 Trudeau found that encouraging. You pointed out that Canada may have to take unilateral action to dramatize the situation and suggested further discussions at Venice about joint strategies.5 Trudeau said Canada was prepared to accept minor modifications in the Treaty, but none that would upset the overall balance. (C)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 38, Memcons: President: 6/80. Confidential. Sent for information. Printed from a copy that indicates that Brzezinski initialed the original.↩
Carter spoke with Trudeau from 3:33 to 3:42 p.m. from the Hall County Regional Airport, Grand Island, Nebraska. (Carter Library, President’s Daily Diary). A memorandum of conversation is in the Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 38, Memcons: President: 6/80.↩
The relevant part of Carter’s notes from his June 23 conversation with Trudeau in Venice reads: “Can extend commitment re not exceeding normal shipments of wheat to SU, but US should not try to define too closely what ‘normal’ is. May be between 3.8 and 5.0 million tons.” (Notes prepared by Carter, undated; Carter Library, Plains File, President’s Personal Foreign Affairs File, Box 4, Summit Meetings, 7/78–6/80)↩
See Document 86.↩
The relevant part of Carter’s notes from his June 23 conversation with Trudeau in Venice reads: “Canada may have to act unilaterally re fishing grounds. [JC: We’re trying to get agreement through Senate.]” Brackets are in the original. (Notes prepared by Carter, undated; Carter Library, Plains File, President’s Personal Foreign Affairs File, Box 4, Summit Meetings, 7/78–6/80)↩

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXVII, Western Europe