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Australia

Economic sectors split in bid to secure China FTA
30-Mar-2006 ABC
Australia is to break the link between key economic sectors, to start formal negotiations with China on a free trade agreement (FTA). The offers on goods and agriculture will start before work on services and investment.
Malaysian FTA taking shape
15-Mar-2006 WA Business News
Australia and Malaysia are working toward the implementation of a free trade agreement, the first draft of which is due for completion by the end of 2006.
NFF wants agriculture included in Japan FTA
13-Mar-2006 ABC
The National Farmers Federation (NFF) is backing increased overseas investment between Japan and Australian agribusiness, as part of any free trade deal between the countries.
A slow boat to Chinese access at FTA talks
13-Mar-2006 The Australian
Australian negotiators face an uphill battle persuading China to grant special access to its service industries or farmers, in free trade agreement negotiations now in full swing.
Malaysia and Australia sign MoU on agriculture
10-Mar-2006
Malaysia and Australia on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at building a new cooperation on agricultural, food processing, livestock and fisheries trade.
"No intention of becoming Third World farmers"
10-Mar-2006
Just one year into the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, Trade Minister Mark Vaile - who signed the FTA - may agree to dump the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) single desk system. The system was set up in 1939 when growers pooled their wheat to protect their incomes.
Agriculture deal with Malaysia opens door for FTA
10-Mar-2006 The Age
Australia and Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to foster trade in agriculture, food processing, livestock and fisheries. The MoU is separate from the proposed free trade agreement between the two countries, and comes as the United States announced it would begin formal negotiations for a free trade accord with Malaysia.
Vaile briefs officials, defends monopoly
9-Mar-2006
Trade Minister Mark Vaile has briefed senior Bush Administration officials on the Cole inquiry, will today brief members of Congress, and is defending Australia’s monopoly wheat sales system from the attacks of US lobby groups.
Beijing neglects trade rule
9-Mar-2006
CHINA is now in the World Trade Organisation and is negotiating free trade agreements. It wants to be a player in the game of world trade. Yet it does not understand the rules of that game. How else to explain Beijing’s decision this week to control the price of exports of iron ore from Australia and Brazil? This is not permitted in the WTO world of multilateral trade.
Farmers could access China markets
8-Mar-2006
Key rural commodities including wine, milk and wool will be in keen demand from China if a free trade agreement with Australia is struck, a new report has found.
US, Australia won’t reopen trade talks
8-Mar-2006
The United States said Tuesday it would not re-open a completed bilateral trade agreement with the Australian government to expand access to U.S. sugar markets, but would work to expand trade and investment ties between the two nations.
FTA provides Thai opportunity
8-Mar-2006
The Western Australian office of Sea-Slip Marinas (Australia) Pty Ltd is bidding for more than $500,000 of contracts this year to provide marina pontoons in Thailand.
No change to US trade deal
8-Mar-2006
Australia and the United States have agreed to look at but not act on changes to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations at a meeting in Washington.
Australia, US review free trade
7-Mar-2006
AUSTRALIA and the United States have agreed to look but not act on changes to the free trade agreement between the two nations at a meeting in Washington.
Vaile to feel heat over wheat deals
7-Mar-2006
TRADE Minister Mark Vaile is expected to face questions about the Cole inquiry and the future of AWB "single desk" for wheat exports from members of Congress and Government officials during a visit to Washington.
No change likely on sugar in FTA talks
6-Mar-2006
Australia will push the United States to open its protected sugar market at the first review of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the trans-Pacific economic partners.
No trade pact with India: Howard
5-Mar-2006
John Howard is hoping to secure a series of breakthrough agreements covering defence, science and aviation during a four-day visit to India that will focus on forging stronger commercial ties with the emerging powerhouse.
China, Australia hold fourth round of FTA talks
2-Mar-2006 People’s Daily
Due to structural differences between the two economies, the talks will focus on agriculture, service and Australia-interested investment.
Free trade agreement - time to criticise big brother
22-Feb-2006 Online Opinion
What message does it send to the world when we unquestioningly enter into an agreement with a country who seeks to change the rules of the international game in order to win?
UAE-Australia free trade pact likely this year
21-Feb-2006 Gulf News
A free trade agreement between the UAE and Australia is likely to be concluded by the middle of this year, said a top Australian official. The UAE is also likely to conclude another free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, while the GCC is expected to sign its own FTA with the European Union in May.