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Conversation 278-050

TapeTape 278StartThursday, September 16, 1971 at 10:34 AMEndThursday, September 16, 1971 at 10:48 AMTape start time02:10:04Tape end time02:11:34ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss economic and military data intended to support administration foreign policy objectives. The President requests comparative statistics on Japan’s Gross National Product versus the rest of Asia, as well as a breakdown of the U.S. military budget relative to those of Europe and Japan. This information is sought to substantiate arguments regarding the distribution of global defense burdens and international financial contributions.

Economic policyMilitary spendingForeign aidJapanGross National ProductGeopolitics
AudioNARA Description

On September 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 10:34 am and 10:48 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 278-050 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 278-50

Date: September 16, 1971
Time: Unknown between 10:34 am and 10:48 am
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with an unknown person [Henry A. Kissinger?].

     Foreign Policy
          -Peter G. Peterson's office
          -Japan

                  -Aid issue
                  -Gross National Product [GNP]
                        -Comparison to Asia
                        -The People's Republic of China [PRC]
                        -India
                        -Indonesia
             -US military budget
                  -Free world aid
                  -Europe
                  -Japan
                  -US
                  -Comparisons
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

I'm very proud to get this from Peterson's office, but I think your guys have been faster.
I think that my recollection, a couple years back, is that Japan, in terms of G&P, produces more than the rest of Asia combined.
including China, India, and Indonesia, et cetera.
And I'm confident that's the case, because I've watched two and a half times the period of China.
So it is obviously the rest of the United States.
But I just want to know whether that statement is relevant to the Director sending me over a note.
OK. Now, one other thing, another figure that you could have, which I don't want to bother you with these things, but I just kind of know you hate to call it.
The other one is this.
The amount of US military, in other words,
The U.S. military budget as compared to the military budget in the rest of the free world.
I guess pick major nations.
You know what I mean?
In other words, pick Europe and Japan.
Europe and Japan and the U.S. versus Europe and Japan.
Yeah, and it would be useful just in case you want to... Yeah.
You prefer it?
Well, either way.
Alright.
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