De Rémusat to Wickham Hoffman, December 28, 1872

M. de Rémusat to Mr. Hoffman.

Sir: By the letter which you did me honor to write on the 22d October last you informed me that the manufacturers of agricultural implements in the United States have complained to the Federal Government that their manufactures are subjected in France to a higher duty than similar articles manufactured in England. At the same time you expressed the wish to be informed if this difference really exists, and what is the reason for it. You asked, besides, if the new treaty of commerce between France and Great Britain would modify, in any way, the duties on these articles.

The inequality of which American industry complains arises from the fact that the convention of October 12, 1860, between France and England, stipulated for a special tariff for implements of British manufacture, while no arrangement of this kind having been made between France and the United States, the products of the Union, like those of all other countries not parties to this contract, are subject to the duties of our general tariff, as fixed by the law of April 18, 1857.

As regards the dispositions of the new treaty of commerce between France and Great Britain, they make no changes in the tariff on agricultural implements constructed exclusively of brass, iron, and steel. Those in whose construction there enters either wood or copper will pay, in addition to the duties they now pay, a surtax corresponding to the duties imposed upon undressed (“brut”) wood or on raw copper by the law of the 26th of July last.

I have the honor, sir, to communicate to you these explanations and information, to obtain which my department has been obliged to communicate with the ministry of the finances.

Receive, sir, &c., &c., &c.