Memorandum of Telephone Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson and Secretary of Agriculture Charles Brannan

395 ARCHIVES "NATIONAL SERVICE RECORDS AND SECHET 13 Cort January 10, 1951 Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Secretary Brannan called the Secretary concerning the possible purchase of meat from Argentina and Mexico. He said there is a buy-American provision, he thinks it is a part of ECA legislation, which requires the US Government to buy things domestically except under extraordinary circumstances. He said in consideration of meat supplies and price control and rationing the acquisition of meat from Argentina and small quantities from Mexico had been considered and he wanted to alert the Secretary to the fact because of the possible political effect. He said he thought it might prove advantageous in dealing with Peron to work out purchases of meat from Argentina. He said he is going to ask General Marshall and his people to explore the purchase of meat from the sources mentioned for military use off shore and in occupied territories. He mentioned that fresh meat cannot be brought into this country because of quarantine regulations, but canned meat can be imported for domestic use and he said Argentina canned the best grades of meat, while the packers here can the poorer quality. The Secretary said he believed the State Department would be thoroughly with Mr. Brannan in this matter. Mr. Brannan then mentioned that, as the Secretary may be aware, the British are negotiating for the purchase of Argentine meat, with bhe British saying 28 and the Argentines saying 32. The Secretary replied that the British may request us to stay out of the Argentine market. Secretary Brannan said he thought it important to say something about the problem and he believed some of the Western Senators and Congressmen are conditioned to let the Army make the proposed purchases. He did not think it would be necessary to get legislation changing the Buy American act as he thought the emergency powers would permit such purchases. Mr. Acheson said it might be better to change the legislation. L. D. B. DECLASSIFIED SECRET E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 3-16-76 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, S:DHM By NLT HC NARS 06-16-76