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Australia

Howard scores big in China
30-Apr-2005 Japan Times
You can’t win ’em all. Fast-jetting Australian Prime Minister John Howard discovered that on his latest barnstorming through East Asia. In Beijing he was buoyed by the success of signing on to a feasibility study aimed at preceding a free trade agreement (FTA). In Tokyo he got the usual welcoming smiles but no deal on an FTA.
Questions raised over benefit to Australia of trade deal with China
29-Apr-2005
A former leader of Australia’s governing Liberal party, John Hewson, has questioned whether a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China will provide any great benefits for Australian exporters.
Vegie growers face $500m a year FTA loss
22-Apr-2005
Vegetable growers stood to lose $500 million a year and 5,000 jobs if Australia struck a free trade deal with China, the industry says.
Japan settles for ’low-risk, low-return’ FTA goals
22-Apr-2005 Japan Times
Prudish about bilateral free-trade agreements just five years ago, Tokyo is now fielding partnership requests from 25 economies and regional blocs. But there is no denying an element of haphazardness in the way it is selecting some of the candidates.
China FTA could harm fruit and veg growers
22-Apr-2005 ABC
The South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF) says the introduction of a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA)with China could decimate the state’s horticulture industry.
Farmers want guarantee on Japan FTA
22-Apr-2005 ABC
The National Farmers Federation says a free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and Japan would be counterproductive if it did not include agriculture
Agriculture must be in Japan FTA: Labor
21-Apr-2005
There is no point proceeding with a feasibility study into a free trade agreement between Australia and Japan if agriculture is excluded from the deal, Labor says.
FTA might ignore farmers
21-Apr-2005
Agriculture might not feature in a free trade deal between Australia and Japan, with Prime Minister John Howard acknowledging it may be too big an obstacle to overcome.
Long march for Australia, China FTA
21-Apr-2005 Dow Jones Newswire
Fifteen years. That is how long China dragged out negotiations for its entry into the World Trade Organization. And there’s no reason to believe that finalizing a comprehensive free-trade agreement with Australia will be any less painstaking.
Step closer toward Japan-Australia FTA
21-Apr-2005 Yomiuri Shimbun
Heading down what Japan’s agricultural sector fear could be a bumpy road, Prime Minster Junichiro Koizumi and Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Wednesday announced a joint feasibility study into a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Agriculture ’a must’ in Japan FTA
21-Apr-2005 The Australian
There is no point proceeding with a feasibility study into a free trade agreement between Australia and Japan if agriculture is excluded from the deal, Labor says.
Indonesia may only need FTA with Japan, Australia, US: Economist
21-Apr-2005 Asia Pulse
A leading economist said Indonesia does not necessarily seek to have free trade agreement (FTA) bilaterally with many other countries.
Vaile says no exclusions in Australia-China FTA
20-Apr-2005 Australian Financial Review
Nothing had been excluded from negotiations on a free-trade agreement between Australia and China, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.
Australian Miners Place Big Hopes On China FTA
19-Apr-2005
If the proposed free-trade agreement between Australia and China can cut the long delays faced by Australian mining companies to get projects off the ground in China, it could give a major boost to Australian mining investments in China.
China free trade: icing on the cake or sugar coating?
19-Apr-2005
As with the US-Australia FTA, there will be winners and losers.
Give and take as China inches towards trade talks
19-Apr-2005
Australia has recognised China as an "equal trading partner" under anti-dumping laws but will give negotiating concessions to China because it is a developing economy.
Business groups seek a bold but balanced FTA
19-Apr-2005
All barriers to trade and investment must be tackled in a "bold" China free trade agreement that Australian business groups said should even lead to easier visas for travel, education and tourism.
Changes likely to laws for investors
19-Apr-2005
Australia will consider changes to foreign investment guidelines to give China preferential treatment in buying into Australian resource projects under a free trade deal, John Howard confirmed yesterday.
Japan could back off FTA with Australia
19-Apr-2005
Japan has decided not to pursue free trade talks with Australia because of concerns that its agricultural industry could be harmed, a news report said yesterday.
No support in Japanese beef industry for FTA with Australia
19-Apr-2005
When he leaves China for Japan tomorrow, Prime Minister, John Howard, will still be focusing on a free trade deal. He will be asking his Japanese counterpart, Junichiro Koizumi, to start down the track of a Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Japan.