611.2331/184

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. H. Gerald Smith of the Division of Commercial Treaties and Agreements

Participants: Señor Pedro Beltrán, Special Commercial Delegate of Peru;
Mr. Hawkins;
Mr. Smith.

Señor Beltrán called to renew preliminary conversations which he had held with officers of the Department several months ago regarding the possibility of concluding a trade agreement between the United States and Peru. Señor Beltrán’s call was with particular reference to the difficult situation which he anticipated in Peru in the near future with respect to the balance of payments of the country and with regard to the concessions which the Government of Peru was desirous of obtaining in a trade agreement. Señor Beltrán left detailed statistical [Page 1146] material on the former subject, together with a revised list of the concessions in which Peru was interested.

Señor Beltrán was informed that we would study with interest the data which he had left and it was also stated that our exploratory work with regard to the general feasibility of a trade agreement was being pushed rapidly.