BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 November 1937, Page 7

BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENT DISCUSSIONS HAVE ENTERED ACTIVE PHASE FAVOURABLE PROSPECTS OF SUCCESS [United I'lffH Awocial ion -By Elect ric Tnlosrapli—(Jop.vi’iglii 1 (Received 17th November, 0.0 n.m.) NEW YORK, 16th November. Mr Delbert Clark, a member of the Washington si aIT of the "New York Times,’ in an exclusive article, says British and American discussions for the purpose of deciding whether negotiations for a reeipiocal trade agreement should be attempted have entered an extremely active phase. They are proceeding .simultaneously in Washington and London, but have not yet reached a definite point. However, the prospects of success in the trade discussions arc considered so favourable that some quarters believe the announcement of the official opening of negotiations is imminent Tiie British Cabinet recently took up the subject directly, whereas the Board of Trade was previously acting. Important exchanges followed, with the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, giving tiie matter his personal attention, and there is considerable optimism both in Washington and London. Britain in recent weeks iias been consulting the Dominions, because the issues presumably will require modification of tiie system, but not the principle of Empire preference in order fo enable Britain to provide concessions to American agricultural products. American concessions to Britain are expected to be chiefly concerned with manufactures. However, apart from trade advantages, the move would be politically significant as indicating closer collaboration between Britain and America and is logically destined to bear fruit in many directions.