Western (W): General (W). European Trade with Countries of Eastern Europe

A file of correspondence and reports concerning East-West trade and a Soviet economic offensive. Subjects covered in the file include the prospects for a bilateral trade agreement between West Germany and the Soviet Union; the prospects for a British trade deal; and concerns that the Soviet Union is developing an economic offensive towards the Middle East and Asia. Further correspondence discusses the visit of the West German Minister of Economics, Ludwig Erhard, to the United Kingdom, and details of his views on Soviet economic policies and how they can be countered by the West, suggesting the adoption of a joint strategy and the establishment of an economic agency by NATO. Further commentary discusses how the Soviets are using long-term development projects, the supply of technical aid, and bulk purchases to infiltrate and influence neutral countries; American involvement in countering the Soviet economic offensive; and German economic interests in the Middle East.