394.31/4–251: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the United States Delegation to the Torquay Conference (Corse) to the Secretary of State
647. After considering latest Australian offers TAC voted terminate negots with Australia on grounds no basis for agrmt exists. Only new item of substantial value was tin plate on which offer was to place present rates in GATT unbound. Del considers tin plate “padding” by nature of product. New offers covered 34 tariff subclasses. Of these, 13 were elim primage1 only; 11 were placing present rates in GATT but unbound; 3 were bindings present rates; 1 was elim primage bind present rate; 6 reductions, 2 of 12½ points, 4 of 5 points. Altho offers now cover about 114 tariff subclasses (request list covered 164) shallow cuts in both rates and preferences make offers of little benefit US trade. In addition, Australia adamant refusal relinquish certain agric preferences Canada and UK of importance US negots those countries.
Informal feelers had indicated previously Australia not interested limited agrmt without wool. Under circumstances, unanimously agreed no possibility satisfactory agrmt.
Sent Dept 647; repeated info Canberra unnumbered.
- In Australia primage was a primary ad valorem revenue duty laid by the Commonwealth Government upon imports.↩