611.1531/12
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Honduras (Lay)
Sir: In reply to your telegram No. 66, of August 17, 1934, it is believed that the contents of the Department’s telegram No. 41 of August 18, 1934, explained the Department’s position in regard to the points raised in your inquiry. The United States is not seeking preferential tariff treatment in the proposed negotiation of reciprocal trade agreements, but its policy is directed toward a general lowering of the barriers to international trade. The preferential tariff treatment previously accorded certain American exports by Brazil was discontinued about the beginning of 1923 as a result of the decision of the United States Government no longer to ask for such preferential tariff treatment, except in the case of Cuba, with which the United States has a special treaty relationship. Such reductions in tariffs as may result from the reciprocal trade agreements now being considered might therefore, without objection by the United States, be generalized to apply to other countries. In seeking tariff concessions [Page 379] from Honduras, or any other nation, the United States would, of course, be primarily interested in commodities of which the United States is an important source of supply.
Very truly yours,