NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
W(B)L 51-7406
4.
You will be aware that the U.S.
Secretary of Commerce, M Stans, has been
doing the rounds of European capitals as a
ing
up
follow through to Nixon's pre-election
undertaking to the American textile industry
give them some sort of protection
to protect them from imports.
From the
start there has been little doubt that it is
the Far Eastern exporters whom Stans is
after.
Stans' visit to London ends to-day
and there have been two days of discussions on
which we have so far not received a full
report.
But we know that the Americans have
concentrated, rather as we expected, on
Hong Kong. It appears that they were stoutly
resisted. The Board of Trade brief was
supplemented by special arguments in Hong
Kong's favour and David Sellers of the Hong
Kong Government Office, who comes, of course,
from their Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
was, by special dispensation, present at the
talks. I think it would be best at this
Tay
stage to say no more to anyone who question
this
you about the outcome than that you know that
charly stated
H.M.G. openly se neledged her responsibility
for Hong Kong and ensured that the Hong Kong
point of view was fully explained to the
As you must know,
visitors.
On
was Stane
to vinet Hong Kong
17" May for discussions.
Considering with the B. of
light of
We are
Trade
in
The
A the London discussions, what-
Guidance to que
handling Staus.
more
lo san
to Hong Kong
5 well hare
12n shortly.
about the
Seme