Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 61 Part 3.djvu/158

 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [61 STAT. May 4, 18, June 10, July 4, 8, 11, August 15, 26, September 10, October 3, 7, 1946 IT. I. A. S. 1572] Understandingsrespecting trade relations with the Philippines. Effected by exchanges of notes between the United States of America and other governments signed at Washington May 4, 18, June 10, July 4, 8, 11, August 15, 26, September 10, and October 3, 7, 1946, regarding the application of certain treaties and agreements. The Acting Secretary of State to the Belgian Ambassador DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON May 4, 1946 EXCELLENCY: With reference to the forthcoming independence of the Philippines on July 4, 1946, my Government considers that provision for a transi- tional period for dealing with the special tariff position which Philip- pine products have occupied for many years in the United States EntryofdePhilipne is an essential accompaniment to Philippine independence. Accord- goods under Philiin pine Trade Act of .Trade ct of ingly, under the Philippine Trade Act approved April 30, 1946, 60 Stat. 141. 22 8u.t4l.S 1251 goods the growth, produce or manufacture of the Philippines will t d' e . enter the United States free of duty until 1954, after which they will be subject to gradually and regularly increasing rates of duty or decreasing duty-free quotas until 1974 when general rates will become applicable and all preferences will be completely eliminated. Since the enactment of the Philippine Independence Act approved 48 U. s. c. 1232 March 24, 1934, my Government has foreseen the probable neces- c s '. sity of providing for such a transitional period and has since then consistently excepted from most-favored-nation obligations which it has undertaken toward foreign governments advantages which it might continue to accord to Philippine products after the proclama- tion of Philippine independence. Some thirty instruments in force with other governments, for example, permit the continuation of the exceptional tariff treatment now accorded by my Government to Philippine products, irrespective of the forthcoming change in the Commonwealth's political status. Nonextension to Belgium tofadvan- With a view, therefore, to placing the relations between the United .. to Phlippines States and Belgium upon the same basis, with respect to the matters involved, as the relations existing under the treaties and agreements referred to in the preceding paragraph, I have the honor to propose that the most-favored-nation provisions of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement between the United States of America and the Belgo- 49stat.3680. Luxembourg Economic Union signed February 27, 1935, shall not be understood to require the extension to Belgium of advantages accorded by the United States to the Philippines. In view of the imminence of the inauguration of an independent Philippine Government, I should be glad to have the reply of Your Excellency's Government to this proposal at an early date. 2436

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