600.628/16

The German Ambassador (Luther) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Sayre)

My Dear Mr. Sayre: Referring to the conversation I had with you on November 27th, I am pleased to substantiate in writing the explanations I gave you with regard to articles published in newspapers, in which it was said that the Department of Treasury is examining the question whether the American anti-dumping regulations or Section 303 of the Tariff Act are violated in connection with imports of goods from Germany into this country.

As far as the use of Registermarks and similar procedures were discussed, I tried to make it clear why they cannot be regarded as contrary to the provisions of the American law. I further asked you to grant a member of this Embassy’s staff an opportunity to give more detailed explanations on the subject to officials of your Department. In the meantime this has been done, and I wish to add that the Embassy will be only too glad to be at the disposal of the competent American authorities for any additional information.

As far as you referred in our conversation to the German law, approved June 28, 1935, which allegedly provides for a governmental export subsidy to be raised in Germany from the profits of domestic business, I had the honor to point out that such interpretation does not correspond with the facts. I added, however, that as far as I know, no exports from Germany into the United States have been and will be financed out of these funds.

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According to additional information which I just received from the Foreign Office, I have the honor to give you herewith, by order of my government, formal confirmation that no means whatsoever out of the funds built up in connection with the law quoted above have so far been used to promote exports from Germany into this country nor will they be used in the future for such purposes.

I should feel indebted to you if you would transmit this information to the other competent authorities.

With best personal regards [etc.]

Hans Luther