Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 61 Part 3.djvu/169

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T PMay 4, 18, June 10, July 4, 8, 11, 1946 1 STAT] TDE PHILIPPINE Aug. 15, 26, Sept. 10, Oct. 3, 7, 1946 The Norwegian Ambassador to the Acting Secretary of State NORWEGIAN EMBASSY WASHINGTON 7, D.C. JULY 8, 1946. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to refer to your note of May 4th, 1946 in which you proposed that the most-favored-nations provisions of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights between Norway and the United States of America signed June 5th, 1928, shall not be under- stood to require the extension to Norway of advantages accorded by the United States to the Phillipines during a transitional period fol- lowing the proclamation of Phillipine independence. I am happy to reply that in appreciation of the need for such con- cessions and as an act of friendship toward the Republic of the Philli- pines my Government has instructed me to accept your Excellency's proposal. Please accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. W. MORGENSTIERNE His Excellency DEAN ACHESON, Acting Secretary of State, Washington 25, D.C. No: 213 The Acting Secretary of State to the Portuguese Ambassador DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON May 18, 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 is an essential accompaniment to Philippine independence. Accord- ingly, under the Philippine Trade Act approved April 30,1946, goods the growth, produce or manufacture of the Philippines will 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 March 24, 1934, my Government has foreseen the probable necessity of providing for such a transitional period and has since then con- sistently 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 proclamation of Philippine independence. Some thirty instruments in force with 2447 Entry of Philippine goods under Philip- pine Trade Act of 1946. 60 Stat. 141. 22U.. C.§121 et seq. 48 Stat. 456 . 48U..c. §1232 etseq.