Evening star., 1941-10-15
u. S.-Argentina Pact
Climax 10 u Years
OF Negotiations
Trade Agreement Signed,
Opening New Phase of
Commercial Relations

collaboration today by virtue of 6
broad trade pact climaxing the cor
again-of again" negotiations of z.
years.
The treaty was signed in Bueno.
Aires last night by United State!
Ambassador Norman Armour anc
Argentine Foreign Minister Ruiz
Guinazu. 1t gave Argentina freel
entry into this country of such
staple products as canned cornec
beef, hides and wool. 1t assured
the United States of continued
MISREPRESENTATION" treatment ir
the shipment of automobiles, re-
frigerating machinery and gadgets
without number to the rich agrariar
republic to the south.
However, these advantages were
considered by close observers OF
Latin American affairs to be minor
in comparison to the psychological
impact of the agreement.
Action Held Significant.
The very fact that Argetina and
the United States had at last
reached mutually satisfactory
trade accord was seen as significant,
since for generations the two re-
publics have stood at the opposite
diplomatic poles when not actually
at loggerheads. Argentina is a
prideful, well-organized republic,
traditionauy jealous of her influence
in South America, and often criti-
cal of United States big-business
methods in the rest of Latin Amer
lea. The United States frequently
has sought Argentine collaboration,
but until the present good neigh
Dor" era has sought to impose her
own terms.
After the original commercial
treaty between the two nations was
negotiated in 1852 on instructions
from Secretary of State Daniel
Webster, repeated efforts were
made. in 1869, again in 1888, and
at other times to expand the terms
OF the agreement Finally, on July
10, 1899, a treaty was signed in
Buenos Aires between the two gov
ernments, but it never was ratified
by the United States Senate.
Negotiations were reopened after
passage of the Trade Agreements
Act in 1884. Even those late dis
cussions had their ups and downs.
In January, 1910, after more than
a year of intensive explorations, the
State Department announced that
discussions for a trade treaty with
Argentina had been terminated be-
cause of divergent views. The same
bugaboos, the similarity of agricul-
tural export products and Argen-
tina's exchange policy, which blocked
the path of previous negotiators, had
stalemated the discussions. .
War Important Factor.
Ironically, the war in Europe, clos
Ing Argentina's markets and sources
Of supply alike, was an important
factor in the successful conclusion
OF last nights agreement. Last
June the Argentine Ministry of
Finance lifted exchange restriction
which had limited imports from the
United States.
Because of the abnormal condi-
tlon OF international trade relations
there can be no comprehensive ap-
pralsal in dollars and cents of the
benefits of the new pact.
In all, the United States granted
Argentina concessions on "a prod
ucts which in 1888 and 1899 ac-
counted for SO per cent of her total
exports to this country, and received
In return concessions on 127 prod
ucts which accounted for about 30
per cent of United States exports to
Argentina last year.
Among the major concessions
granted Argentina were reductions
from 6 to cents per pound in the
duty on canned meats, principally
corned beef, and from IS to 321a
cents per bushel on faxseed for the
duration of the emergency. The
duty on coarse wool was cut II cents.
Argentina cut duties on imports
Of specified United States fresh and
dried fruits by so per cent on sea-
sonal basis, with smaller reductions
on many other products.
The State Department pointed out
American exporters would gain ad-
ditional indirect benefits to the ex-,
tent that the agreement helps to
increase Argentine exports to this
country and thus boosts her pur-
chasing power for United States
products.
The 18th reciprocal trade agree
ment to be concluded between the
United States and other American
republics, the pact will go into eff
feet Professionally November IS,
entering into full force 80 days after
exchange of ratifications.
Because of abnormal conditions
growing out of the war. the agree
ment contains some special pro-
visions, including one Setting up
mixed commission representing both
governments to consult on all prob
lens that might come up in the
future affecting the pact.
President Roosevelt called it "a
monument to the ways of peace"
and Secretary of State Hull ex-
pressed profound satisfaction at its
successful conclusion.
Hull Calls Pact Significant.
Present conditions give the agree
ment a special significance and
Importance, Secretary Hull pointed
out.
This concrete evidence of the
desire of each country to help the
other in the economic f1eld,' he said,
will inevitably promote co-opera-
ton between them in other respects.
"Close cooperation between Ar
gentina and the United States is
especially important at time when
the very existence of the nations
of this hemisphere may depend
upon presenting a united front to
the forces of aggression"
In describing the pact as "an
outstanding contribution to the ecb-
nomic welfare of our two countries
and to the reconstruction of peace
full and profitable trade in the
Americas and throughout the world"
President Roosevelt said, 1--WE have
today forged a new link in the
chain of friendship, peace and good
neighborliness which happily binds