Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-30
Eisenhower Seeks
Extension Of Power
To Trim Tariffs
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foreign nations to balance their
purchases with sales to the
United States, the President told
Congress. that dollar grants are
no solution to this impasse, but
that "the solution is a higher
level Of two-way trade"
Gen. Eisenhower declared that
as the result of world upheavals.
the global commercial relation
ships today are a patchwork of
temporary expedients. and a
host Of restrictions. rigidities.
interferences and barriers. which
seriously inhibit the expansion
Of international trade"
The United States must take
the lead in correcting this Situa-
ton. and lin doing so, make
clear to the rest of the world
that we expect them to follow
our Lead" he said.
Beyond our economic inter-
est" he warned, "the solidarity
Of the free world and the ca
pacity Of the free world to deal
with those who would destroy it
are threatened by continued un-
balanced trade relationships -
the inability of nations to sell
as much as they desire to buy.
BY moving boldly to correct the
present unbalance, we shall sup
port and increase the levA of
our exports of both manufac-
tured and agricultural products. I"
Gen. Eisenhower said 4 mil
lion workers in this country are
dependent on foreign trade.
The Presidents proposal for
tariff cuts on selected commod-
tiles was a modification of the
Randall plan. presented in late
January. which made no men,
ton of selectivity.
Briefing reporters late yester-
day. Mr.. Randall. who has been
serving as a foreign trade con-
sultant to the President, said
that the commission report had
been interpreted too broadly.
Actually. he said. the 5-per
cent plan could tighten up the
present provisions of the Recip-
rocal Trade Act which permit
the President to cut tariffs so
per cent below the level pre-
vailing January /, 1945.
Some so per cent cuts still
would be permitted over a three
year period, either through nego-
tiations. or in the case Of COM
modities which are not being i'm
ported. or are coming in only in
limited volume, but the Presi-
dent stressed that "the forego-
ing authority does not contem-
plate across-the-bo tariff re-
auctions"
Other Restraints.
Gen. Eisenhower emphasized
also that the escape clause and
peril point provisions designed
to mitigate injury to domestic
producers would be followed.
AS a further restraint. the
President said that the United
States. would not permit reduc-
tons in tariff on products made
by foreign workers who get wages
that are substandard by their
own scales.
The relaxation proposed in
Buy American" legislation would
exempt those countries which
treat American concerns on a
par with their own.
President Eisenhower said once
more that foreign economic aid
on a grant basis must be termin-
ated as soon as is possible, con-
sistent with the national interest,
but he went along with the Com
mission in urging that the tech
nical cooperation programs
under Point Four-"be pressed
forward vigorously"
The President also spoke of the
desirability Of easing up on the
restrictions now applicable to
the historic" trade relations be-
tween Western Europe and Iron
Curtain countries, and said a
greater exchange of peaceful
goods" should not be cause for
concern.
Stassen, BritOns Confer.
FOA Director Harold Stassen
now is comforting on this issue
with the British Government.
The Randall Commission was