Diary Entry - 12/18/1981
Key Facts
President Reagan meets with representatives of the American automobile manufacturers to discuss the auto industry and Japanese auto imports.
The U.S. suspends the memorandum of understanding it signed with Israel on November 30 to protest Israel's sudden annexation of the Golan Heights.
Had to be the heaviest schedule & most frustrating day yet. One long series of meetings on bud. on Nat. Security and half a dozen other things. Broke the routine in late afternoon to go over to the W.H. for W.H. staff party. It was nice. All these good people who take care of us & tend the place with their families. Most important meeting with heads of Auto Co’s. That industry is facing total disaster. I’m recommending that we tell Japan we are going to impose same restrictions on their exports as they do on import of Am. cars in Japan. Auto makers need passage of Clean Air Act changes which can reduce price of Am. cars. Met with Sen. leaders who are beginning to panic on taxes. They want us to raise or impose new ones. I’m resisting. D--n it our program will work & it’s based on reduced taxes.
