446G.119/8–1651: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Hong Kong
835. From Commerce:1 Reurtel 675 August 14 [16],2 OIT August 16 press release denied published reports US has eased export licensing policy to Hong Kong, and stated commodity mentioned was black sheet reject steel for manufacture enameled metalware not thin steel plate usable as tinplate substitute. Six-month investigation cited. Stated further that non-strategic steel items are being licensed in minimum amounts sufficient to meet only essential Hong Kong civilian requirements subject to assurances against transshipment to Commies. [Page 2006] You may wish explain better than doubling of US exports to Hong Kong in second quarter over first quarter 1951 by fact Hong Kong Government and consignees and end-users have been submitting more conclusive evidence that their importation of US commodities or of similar or substitute commodities from other countries will not reach Commies before or after fabrication. Appreciate your concern but you are assured no licensing policy change has been made and that you will be consulted and notified as to such changes prior to public announcement. [Commerce.]
- Drafted by Carlton L. Wood, Director of the Far Eastern Division, Office of International Trade, Department of Commerce.↩
- Telegram 675 from Hong Kong, August 16 (not printed) cited a local press report indicating that the Department of Commerce planned a more lenient licensing policy toward goods destined for Hong Kong, and stating that 150 tons of thin steel sheets had been shipped from San Francisco to Hong Kong three weeks before under such a policy (446G.119/8–1651).↩