330. Memorandum From President Nixon to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1
Washington, April 27, 1971.
I note that the present line with regard to our China initiative is that trade with China should be on the same basis as trade with the Soviet Union and other Communist countries.
I realize this is our final objective.
The question is whether we should consider now the timing of such announcements and whether this might not be a good move to make at an earlier time than we had anticipated for reasons that are obvious.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 341, HAK/RN Memos 1971. No classification marking. Attached to an April 28 memorandum from Haig which reads: “Henry: We got a barrage of these today—all of which I have initiated action on. This one leaves me wondering whether the President reads his mail. I suppose the best bet is to review for him again, in more general and brief terms, the menu of Phase II and III actions that we have on the docket and your belief that they must be carefully orchestrated and the temperature tested every step along the way as we proceed towards the ultimate goal of comparability in our trade with China and the Soviet Union.” Kissinger initialed the “Proceed this way” option on Haig’s memorandum.↩