Media release
Thursday 26 September 2002 - MVT114/2002
FTA and WTO to Top Washington and New York Talks
Trade Minister Mark Vaile will meet with United States Administration
and Congressional leaders in Washington next week to discuss an Australia-US
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Doha round of World Trade Organisation
(WTO) negotiations.
Mr Vaile will visit Washington and New York from 1 to 4 October.
"Now that the Administration has attained Trade Promotion Authority,
it is in a position to look at starting negotiations on bilateral
FTAs," Mr Vaile said.
"The proposal for an FTA between Australia and the United States
is gaining support on both sides of the Pacific. There is support
within the US Administration and Congress, and from the US and Australian
business communities.
"While I recognise there are sensitive issues on both sides, these
don't prevent discussion, nor preclude the possibility that we can
find a way to deal sensibly with difficult issues which still ensures
a strong, trade-creating agreement."
Mr Vaile said the Government would continue to work closely with
the US Administration to pursue common goals of market opening in
the WTO negotiations.
"Agriculture, in particular, is a sector where far-reaching reform
will be central in the Doha round," Mr Vaile said.
"Trade distorting agricultural policies must be tackled. Export
subsidies must be removed, farm support significantly reduced, and
trade barriers substantially lowered."
In New York, Mr Vaile will address The Asia Society on the topic
"Australia Outfront: Setting the Pace for Growth in Asia", and will
meet with the American Australian Association.
In both cities, Mr Vaile will meet with senior business representatives,
including the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement Coalition based in
Washington.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 13:49:26 EST
