Evening star., 1961-12-12
Ball Asks New Power !
For Kennedy on Tariff

He also told House Senate
economic subcommittee he
has no doubt the American
people and Congress will face
up to the realities of changing
conditions by giving President
Kennedy the tools he will need
to deal with such new trade
factors as the European Com
mon Market.
But the Undersecretary did
not disclose any details of the
new tariff powers Mr.. Kennedy
will request when Congress
convenes next month.
He told Representative Boggs,
Democrat of Louisiana, sub
committee chairman, he could
not be specific because some
of the details are still under
discussion in administration
circles, and the President
wants to go over them with
key legislators before he de-
llvers his state-of the Union
message in January.
Two Major Obie
Mr.. Ball, however, empha-
sized two major detectives OF
the broad new reciprocal trade
program:
l. Power to make acrosS-the-
board tariff adjustments ap-
plying to groups of commodi-
ties instead of product by
product, as required by present
law.
2. In seeking closer CO.
operation with the European
Common Market, the United
States must remember its trade
obligations to countries OF the
Pacific and Latin American
areas. He said this would pre-
clude any exclusive arrange
ments with one area and re-
quire adherence to the most
favored-nat ton" principle.
Mr.. Boggs said he is being
told protectionism is on the
increase and that Congress
ought to settle for an extern
sion Of the present Reciprocal
Trade Act. He asked Mr.. Ball
if he subscribes to what he
called that negative approach.
Press Campaign Noted
The State Department Off
cial replied that he has lived
in Washington for many years
and has noticed that in the
autumn, when a new trade pro-
gram is being formulated, the
newspapers carry alarming re-
ports of how it will be received.
Il don't at all underestimate
the difficulties" the Under
secretary continued. "or the
disquiet the new program pro-
duces in certain areas or GER
tain parts of agriculture. But
I. for one have great conf
dence in the wisdom and con-
fidence Of the people. I don't
believe for a minute that the
American people or Congress
will fail to face up to the reali-
ties of the world trade situa-
ton today"
Discounts Argument
Mr.. Ball said he has heard
it said in some industrial cir
cles that this country can not
lower its tariff protection be-
cause the United States has
priced itself out Of the world
market. He said this argument
suggests that the United States
should build a wall around it.
self and enjoy its domestic
trade while 1t lasts.
Il don't find this a very
happy picture" said Mr.. Ball.
In the first place, I don't
think we have priced ourselves
cut of the world market"
He added that to whatever
extent we may have priced our
selves out of some markets we
should be willing to accept the
challengt of competition be-
cause IF free enterprise means
anything it means a willing
ness to accept competition. I
believe we can compete and
grow prosperous in competing
Calls for New Approach
The Undersecretary pointed
out that the union Cf six coun-
tries in the European Common
Market already has made a
new approach to reciprocal
trade necessary. If the United
Kingdom succeeds in it's efforts
to join the Common Market
the change in world trading
conditions will be even greater.
he said.
He denied that the United
States has ATTEMPTED to pres
sure Great Britain into joining
the Market. but added that if
Britain is able to Join the Com
mon Market the United States
feels it would be a substantial
contribution to the cohesion of
the free world.