TRADE POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 July 1941, Page 5

TRADE POLICY

EMPIRE AND UNITED STATES MEETING WAR CONDITIONS. PROPOSED AUSTRALIAN - DELEGATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, July 22. An official Commonwealth delegation will leave Australia for the United States soon for important discussions which, it is understood, may affect the trade structure of Britain, Australia and the United States and to some extent Canada. It is believed that the proposals to be discussed will include, first, the direct supply to Britain by the United States of primary products which Australia can no longer export to Britain because of shipping difficulties; secondly, the export of Australian primary produce to the United States to make up these deficiencies: thirdly, tariff concessions by Australia to the United States and the revision of the import licensing system adopted by Australia to conserve dollar exchange. A complete re-orientation of trade relations between Australia and the United States is felt by both countries to be the logical sequel of the Lease and Lend legislation. An indication has been given that America is anxious for a reciprocal trade agreement at least for the duration of the war. It is understood that the United States has asked for more favoured treatment of certain products under the Australian tariff in view of the benefits which will accrue to Australia under the Lend and Lease Act. Canada will be interested in the pro- < posed trade scheme as it will almost certainly mean a modification of the Ottawa Agreement.