The Common Market sought a trade compromise.

Ambassadors from the 12 Common Market nations agreed that they did not want to break off negotiations with the United States over a pasta and citrus fruit dispute. The United States has charged that Common Market trade policies hurt U.S. citrus fruit exporters and responded by raising import tariffs on European pasta. The Europeans countered by increasing duties on U.S. walnuts and lemons. The ambassadors said that if the United States broke off the talks, the Common Market would raise duties on U.S. oranges, lemons, grapefruit, avocados and apples.