Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Foreign Economic Policy, Volume IV

123. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Missions⁰

May 26, 1960, 1:31 p.m.

1489. US Government issuing May 27, 1960, subject to press embargo until 6:30 p.m. Washington time, formal notice intention to participate in GATT tariff negotiations for reciprocal exchange concessions commencing September 1960.¹ Also issuing 1) list of products on which US may consider offering tariff concessions these negotiations and 2) separate “export” list of products on which US may request tariff concessions from other countries.²

These releases initiate domestic procedures for public participation in US preparations for negotiations, including hearings before interagency Committee for Reciprocity Information and “peril point” hearings before Tariff Commission concerning extent to which concessions listed products may be made without causing or threatening serious injury to domestic industry. Hearings to start July 11. Inclusion of article either list is for purpose obtaining views public concerning possibility offering or seeking concessions. Such inclusion carries no implication that concession will ultimately be offered in case products on public list or requested in case products on export list. Neither list indicates country with which concession might be negotiated.

Releases state that on basis presently available information, US expects negotiate with Commission of EEC on behalf member states, with Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, Haiti, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom and Uruguay. US may also negotiate additional countries if there proves basis for negotiations.

US participation in negotiations under authority delegated to President in Trade Agreements Act as amended and extended. President authorized to enter into trade agreements within four-year period ending June 30, 1962. In such agreements authorized reduce US duties in stages by any one three alternative methods:

1. Reducing rate existing on July 1, 1958 by not more than 20 percent, providing no more than 10 percent reduction made effective any one year;

2. Reducing rate existing on July 1, 1958 by not more than 2 percentage points ad valorem. Reduction in any one year may not exceed 1 percentage point;

3. Reducing to 50 percent ad valorem or its equivalent a rate in excess that level, providing not more than one-third total reduction made effective any one year.

Copies releases being pouched missions.

Suggest addressee missions inform Governments to which accredited of announcement.

Geneva inform Wyndham White.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 394.41/5–2760. Official Use Only. Drafted by Brewster; cleared in draft with Sanderhoff, Walker, GTI, FE, ARA, AFS, and CMA; and initialed for the Secretary by Birch. Sent to 30 posts and repeated to 13 additional posts.
1. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, June 13, 1960, pp. 968–973.
2. Neither found.