Evening star., 1949-11-03
kheson' S Proposal
Rr Import Boosts
Sen Stirring Fight
BY the A.soeiofed Press

~ NV TSsoSoi0o FtSss
q major fight appeared to be
slipping up today for the next
session of Congress over admins
trH Htion plans to increase imports
BY several billion dollars worth
a $ear.
in one of the bluntest declara-
tions yet made on the subject by
a bop Government official, Secre-
tafy Of State Acheson asserted In
New York last night that I'VE
must become really import
minded"
Mr.. Acheson told the National
Foreign Trade Council that he
sees nothing favorable" in a
trade balance by which the
United States last year sold $13,-
000.000,000 worth of goods to the
rest Of the world and bought only
$1,000 900, 900 in return.
He declared that the $4,000, ,000,-
900 gap creates a serious problem
for this country In its efforts to
establish economic stability among
the nations of the American
Hemisphere and Western Europe
Addresses Trade Council.
Mr.. Acheson spoke at the con-
vention of the Foreign Trade
Council. President Truman sent
the meeting a message saying that
the United States as a creditor
nation is trying to correct the
unbalance in trade.
Mr.. Acheson, in effect, demand
ed that the United States reverse
its 30-year-old trade policies un-
der which it has consistently sold
more abroad than it has bought
He said he wants this country to
begin to allow other nations to pay
for what they buy here instead OF
having the American taxpayer foot
the bill in the form Of huge loans
and gifts.
To achieve this objective he out
lined a program based on nego-
tiating new tariff cuts with other
countries. At the same time he
expressly recognized the fact that
he will run up against stiff opposi-
ton as a result of prospective COM
petition with American products.
Since some points of his pro-
posal will require action by Con-
gress-and he called for action at
the next session-it appeared that
the major issue will be fought out
there.
Plans Further Tariff Cuts.
In his speech, Secretary Acheson
said:
l. The administration proposes
to negotiate further tariff cuts
under the trade agreements au-
thority newly extended by Con-
gress last session. Officials here
believe these negotiations may b
held next September. -s.--
2. The charter of the 1nterna-
tional Trade Organization, as far
as United States membership Is
concerned. should be approved by
Congress early next session. This
may provide one Of the focal
points for the struggle over in
creasing American imports. If and
when the United States does join
ITO, Mr.. Acheson said, it will
have to legislate changes In GUS
toms requirements which presently
retard trade.
3. Regulations respecting label
ing and purity of food and drugs
have become "outmoded" In many
instances and should be modern
lied to facilitate sales Of foreign
products here. The administra-
tion is already working on this.
4. Obstacles to imports which
Mr.. Acheson said arise from the
agricultural price support system
should be removed where possible.
1t is understood the State Depart
ment is urging action by the Agri-
culture Department.
Hits BUY American" Rule.
S. Federal. State and local gov
ernments which spend $1o,00o,-
100000 a year for supplies should
be given more freedom in buying
foreign goods and not be rigidly
required to buy American"
6. Regulations which deny the
use of foreign shipping for Ameri-
can exports in some instances
and similar restrictions-inter-
pose obstacles on the earnings Of
dollars by foreign countries and
Secretary Acheson indicated he
would like to have these reviewed
and modified.
The Foreign Trade Councils
own ideas were embodied in
6,500-word final declaration" of
the convention, unanimously
adopted.
Here are the things the manu-
facturers, shippers and bankers
attending the convention and the
administration spokesmen agree
upon:
1. The United States must be-
come import minded, and drop
its traditional emphasis on ex-
ports.
2. Customs procedures must be
simplified and red tape eliminated.
8. Tariffs should be further
reduced-although the business
men didn't go as far in this direc-
ton as did Secretary Acheson.
4. The Presidents Point Four
plan for aiding underdeveloped
areas was approved-but the busi-
nessmen said more emphasis
should be put on private enter
prise's part and less on Govern
ment supervision.
Marshall Plan Praised.
5. The Marshall Plan has done
a good job in Europe. but from
now on must concentrate more
on getting Western Europe uni