The Pittsburgh Press (March 6, 1944)
Pravda prints interview with Eric Johnston
Chamber head predicts expansion of trade with Russia
Moscow, USSR (UP) –
Pravda published today a lengthy interview with Eric Johnston, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce obtained by a TASS correspondent in Washington, in which Mr. Johnston predicted large increases in trade between the United States and Soviet Russia in the post-war era.
Mr. Johnston was quoted:
American business circles warmly greet the victories of the Red Army. They are proud of the fact that the production of United States industry helped Russian victories over the common enemy.
This is another proof of the fact that the industrial power and almost inexhaustible resources of the United States and the Soviet Union can effectively complement each other in war as well as in peace.
I know American industrialists. They want to sell their productions and buy various materials in the world market. They believe they must export goods and services, but not export goods and services, but not export our ideology or political vies. It would be unrealistic not to admit the basic difference between the American and Soviet systems.
After the war, one should expect wide possibilities for the profitable exchange of goods and services between the two countries. The Soviet Union has many materials which American industry will need, and on the other hand there are evident possibilities that United States machinery and technical skill can be used by the Soviet Union where it sets itself to the task of reconstruction.
In the past, the volume of trade between the two countries was considerable, but one can believe the post-war era will bring a widening, increasing volume. It is necessary for both parties to work out suitable trade policies quickly and agree on credits.