TNAG-0132-FCO40-168-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 101

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in paragraph 3 of the note that Britain would be approached by as

diverse a company as Japan, the U.S., Germany, Belgium and the

Netherlands to abolish reverse preferences (especially as the latter

three were vulnerable in the EEC context).

Other countries

11.

I did not get any further information on the position of the

Nordic countries and I think that we can leave them for the time being

in the light of D.D.C.R.'s conversation with de Geer (Stockholm.

Tel. No. 8 of 9 January). As regards the Austrians, Willenpart

appeared to be pretty sympathetic with us on the EC position (which,

I might add, is now common knowledge among all members of the Ad Hoc

Group and has undoubtedly by now been spread among the developing

countries).

He reiterated what he had told me before, namely that,

as far as Austria was concerned, they would much rather see Yugoslavia

excluded than Hong Kong. He added that Austria would have no great

difficulty with Hong Kong. I think I have already reported that

Switzerland is most likely to inrroduce a shceme somewhat similar ta

the Canadian, i.e., modest tariff cuts with few er no exceptions.

the light of this I would not as of now expect them to exclude Hong

Kong but, as with all the ethers, they could well be influenced by the

EEC and U.S. positions. Finally, as a footnote to the reported

In

Belgian attitude in EEC discussions, it might be recorded that Laloux,

during the discussion of safeguards in the Group, made great play with the concept of the progressive exclusion of "competitive"

countries on the grounds that the whole object of a preferences scheme was to assist developing countries who were not competitive.

was, of course, Brasseur virtually undiluted.

This

/Conclusions

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