Conversation 475-017

TapeTape 475StartThursday, April 8, 1971 at 10:07 AMEndThursday, April 8, 1971 at 10:20 AMTape start time02:18:18Tape end time02:33:17ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Peterson, Peter G.Recording deviceOval Office

AI Summary

President Nixon met with Peter G. Peterson to finalize the procedural strategy and organizational focus for an upcoming Council on International Economic Policy (CIEP) meeting. They discussed the President’s intent to position Peterson as his primary representative to streamline decision-making on sensitive trade issues, including textiles, agriculture, and footwear quotas. The discussion also addressed potential coordination efforts involving David M. Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, and other cabinet members to handle complex economic negotiations with foreign officials.

CIEPInternational TradeTrade PolicyQuotasTextilesEconomic Diplomacy

Audio

NARA Description

On April 8, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Peter G. Peterson met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:07 am to 10:20 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 475-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 475-17

Date: April 8, 1971
Time: 10:07 am - 10:20 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Peter G. Peterson

     President’s review of materials regarding meeting with Council on International Economic
          Policy [CIEP], April 8, 1971
          -President’s opening remarks
                 -Comments on importance and organization of Council
                 -Introduction of Peterson
          -Table of organization
          -High points of briefing
          -Substantive materials
           -Chart
           -Outside people
           -Review groups
           -David M. Kennedy
           -Review group
                 -Shoes and textiles
           -Peterson’s role
           -Review group
           -Treasury Department
                 -Possible conflict with CIEP
                 -John B. Connally

     Textiles
           -Agenda
           -Commercial

           -Quotas and categories
     -Anthony J. Jurich, Commerce Department, and State Department
     -Jurich and Harry S. Dent
           -Roger Milliken
     -Department and industry officials

US trade
           -Japan and other countries
           -Issue before council
     -Henry A. Kissinger and Peterson
     -President, William P. Rogers, Connally, Peterson, and Maurice H. Stans
           -Kennedy
     -President’s conversation with Stans
     -Rogers
     -Approach
     -Kennedy’s visit to Europe
           -Timing
     -Papers on CIEP
           -Grains
           -Cheese
           -Shoes
     -Work projects
     -Grains and cheese
CIEP meeting
     -Procedures on Council meetings
     -Peterson’s role as President’s representative
     -Shoes
           -Stans
           -Franco Mario Malfatti
     -Malfatti
           -Photo session with President and Kennedy
           -Timing
     -Press
           -Mary Anne Allin
     -Shoes
           -Stan’ trip to Spain
                 -Quota
           -Kennedy
                 -Use of word “monetary”
           -Agriculture, shoes, other economic issues in Europe and Asia
           -Kennedy as President’s ambassador

           -Strategy
           -Shoes, textiles, and agriculture
           -Malfatti
           -Peterson
           -Malfatti
                 -Dealings with
                 -President’s role
                 -Citrus and tobacco
                       -California
                       -Tobacco
                             -Border states
           -Kennedy’s trip
                 -Malfatti
                 -Timing
                 -Textiles
           -Work of Council
                 -Kissinger’s staff
           -Kissinger and Peterson
                 -Textiles and military aid
           -Carl J. Gilbert

The President and Peterson left at 10:20 am

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.

God bless the Lord.

U.K. Greens.

U.K. Greens are really strong.

We changed a lot today.

You're going to hear about shoes.

You're going to hear about the things that you've already sent in where I signed paper.

The U.K. Greens are very good.

They're changing a lot.

What other things?

Those are the three tariffs.

Those we've only taken action on today.

Are there other things that you've sent in that way?

What I want to point out is that we've got to set up the procedure here so that the council doesn't have to meet it.

Like that's ideal for you to go around and see the members of the council, bring the paper, and I sign it, and I say my point.

And I want these folks to know that I expect you to be my representative.

I will have the council speak up as many times as you could well see.

You get this whole bunch together, and Jesus Christ, you can start counting them.

Shoes.

I'd like to stage just a little high side, whatever the bracket was.

Now, I'd like to bring my body.

Uh, here's something I'm going to do is, uh, turn it over to me.

I don't need to say the strategy, but I think it would be much more appropriate for you to talk about data based on your question best.

So why don't you ask me what I'd like to do.

At the very end of the meeting there, you said, well, I don't think you could ask me on the strategy side.

You haven't done that in the past.

You discussed the issue.

Then I'll say, well, I'm pending.

You're going to have to be personal.

No.

I won't.

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