338. Letter From President López Mateos to President Eisenhower1
Dear Mr. President: Your Excellency will remember that during the talks we had at Camp David, I took the liberty of telling you that we hoped no impediment to the importation of lead and zinc would be established in addition to the quotas that have been in effect since 1958.
I pointed out that, aside from the serious economic effect an additional protectionist measure would have on Mexico, the public would resent it as an act inconsistent with the solid friendship existing between our two countries, a friendship that was expressed in this connection during World War II when, because of military needs, we increased our exports despite the rigid prices fixed by the United States Government.
I added that we were not indifferent to the difficult situation of the mining industry in the United States, although the number of miners now unemployed is very small, but that we considered that [Page 892] since these are world problems, a study should be made of them within the framework of the United Nations, and more specifically, in the agency that concerns itself particularly with lead and zinc.
In an understanding spirit that the Mexican people and I appreciate very much, Your Excellency offered to oppose an increase in duty or the adoption of new measures restricting trade in these products between Mexico and the United States.
In view of the foregoing, I trust that the reports we have received, and about which we are deeply concerned, of the imminent possibility that the interests of the economy and miners of the Mexican Republic will be seriously affected by legislative measures, are exaggerated.
I avail myself of the opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my highest consideration and cordial friendship.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series. The source text is a translation. In a June 29 memorandum, Secretary Herter informed the President that Mexican Ambassador Carrillo Flores wished to deliver this letter from López Mateos in person. Herter stated in part, “The desire to deliver this appeal to you, in person, stems from the vital importance which the lead and zinc industry has in the Mexican economy, and the serious concern with which any reports of new restrictions on the importation of these products by the United States is viewed.” Herter recommended that Eisenhower receive the Ambassador. (Ibid.) In a June 30 memorandum to the President, Herter again discussed the appointment with the Mexican Ambassador. The Secretary stated that Carrillo Flores might express Mexican concern over recent legislative proposals which, if enacted into law, would impose new duties on imports of lead and zinc. Herter further stated that if such legislation were enacted by Congress, the Department of State would recommend a veto of the bill. (Ibid.) A memorandum of the conversation between Eisenhower and Carrillo Flores on July 1 is infra.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩