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In Washington, State Department officials made plans to carry the case of Coca-Cola right into the Quai d'Orsay, headquarters of French diplomacy. France's ban, State was prepared to point out, was contrary to Franco-American trade agreements which provided for low U.S. tariffs (40^ to $1.25 on a gallon) on most French wines in return for similar French concessions on soft drink concentrates.
If Coca-Cola is barred from France, U.S. Congressmen might be tempted to raise tariffs on French wines. One Congressman expressed his views on the matter. "Coca-Cola," said Representative Prince H. Preston Jr., from Coke's home state of Georgia, "would give the French something they have needed since the war ended, and that is a good belch."