Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-24
Americas
Lutins Continue to Feel
They Are Forgotten Men
BY Richard FrykIund

BY Richard FykIund
The Randall Commission, which
reported yesterday on foreign trade
problems. devoted most of it's space
to trade with our European cold
war allies-an emphasis which was
another disappointment to our hot
war friends, the merchants Of Latin
America.
These merchants are convinced
that Uncle Sam pays attention to
Latin America only when a war
comes along and he needs huge
amounts of raw materials and needs
them quickly. South and Central
America supply the materials in
those times of need. distorting their
economies in the process. But then
when peace comes, they complain.
the United States lets Latin America
go hang. ~
Right now the Latin Americans
feel neglected. and they want their
rich uncle to do something about 1t.
U. S. Biggest Troder
The attitude of the United States
toward Latin American trade is Of
vital Importance south of the bor-
Ger. This country is the biggest
trader down there.
The United States buys 40 per cent
Gin dollar value) of the products
exported by Latin America. At the
same time. 81 per cent of the things
Latin America imports come from
the United States.
Latin American trade does not
loom that important to this coun-
try. but it still is far from q
triviality. We send 10 per cent Of
our total exports to Latin America
and receive 80 per cent Of our i'm.
ports from there.
Our good neighbors to the South
would love to broaden the base Of
their trade. They would like to buy
and sell more in Europe and Asia
for instance. And those continents
now are making serious effort to
secure more of that trade
The United States. however, is the
natural custome for Latin Ameri-
can raw materials and foodstuffs;
and Latin America is natural Gus
toner for American manufactured
goods. So the two doubtless will
remain pretty much each others
steady customers.
DolIor Power
There is another factor which
tends to hold Latin America to the
United States. Most international
trading is done in American dollars.
and countries which want to trade
must trade with the United States
in order to get those dollars.
Since Latin America does seem
tied to the United States CONNER
cially. she would like more favor
able basis for the relationship.
First of all. Latin American coun-
tries would like the United States
to be a more stable market. They
want to do more long-range plan
ming, depending on United States
import Of definite amount Of ma
terial at a steady price. They
would like United States tariffs to
stand still-or drop if they have to
move at all.
Latin American nations also would
like better trace terms-credit
rather than the cash-on-the- barrel
head now required. And they
would like American exports to be
more tailored to Latin American
needs. European exporters do this.
but their manufactured goods. on
the whole. are not of the same
high grade as the American.
IL N,,~,11I tia
some of that foreign aid money
which now goes to Americas former
enemies to find its way down south
to this country's wartime friends.
Latin American countries. Of
course, are irving to help them
selves. They are industrialiZing so
that they will not be so dependent
on imports. They are trying to get
away from one-product economies.
Some countries. Mexico. Brazil and
Argentina, for instance. are making
good progress in this direction.
Many of their efforts at self-help
depend on outside capital however.
so again Latin America finds itself
leaning on Uncle Sam.
The Other Side
Merchants in this country also.
would like to see better trading con-
ditions. They would like little
more stability in Latin America. for
instance The benevolent Dictator
ships which govern most Latin
American countries are too prone
to rule by decree and too prone to
nationalize foreign-o owned indus
tries. American investors are re-
luctant 10 risk their money in an
uncertain atmosphere.
And Yankee traders do not like
the currency restrictions that make
it difficult for them to bring their
profits home or the import quotas
designed to bring in what's good for
the people not what they want or
what the merchant wants to sell.
The Americans have some of their
own suggestions for stimulating
trade. They would like the United
States Government to insure their
foreign business ventures. They
suggest better tax treatment on
their foreign profits. And they
would like banks. particularly the
Export-Import Bank. United
States Government agency, and the
World Bank to loosen up on their
credit policies. The Export Import
Bank, Federal agency. would need
new instructions from Congress.
The World Bank would have to
get agreement from it's major par
ticipating countries.
Price Problem
All these things probably would
stimulate trade, but they would