Trade: Mission Impossible

One of the most delicate dilemmas confronting the Nixon Administration is that of reconciling its position as an advocate of free trade with the President's campaign pledge to cut down on textile imports. In an effort to redeem that promise, Commerce Secretary Maurice Stans flew to Europe last weekend for two weeks of talks with the U.S.'s major trading partners. Stans goal is to persuade reluctant European countries to agree to voluntary quotas on their textile shipments to the U.S.

He faces a frosty reception. The President broached the subject during his February swing around Europe, and was...