Strong Language

In Geneva this week, representatives of 26 of the 35 nations adhering to GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) were in the midst of their fourth attempt since the end of World War II to arrange, mutual tariff reductions. Despite lip service to freer trade, most of the GATT nations cling to their barriers. Undiscouraged, President Eisenhower last week forwarded to congressional leaders a memorandum declaring that it was "absolutely essential" that the U.S. join the Organization for Trade Cooperation. (The OTC, if it ever becomes a reality, will act as a permanent administrative body to enforce agreements.)

"Absolutely essential" is the strongest language the Administration has yet used in relation to any part of its world trade program. If the President means it, he may end the series of futile maneuvers during which the U.S. program has been thwarted again and again by a combination of internal opposition and foreign doubletalk.

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