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Australia

Discontent Down Under: US officials say free-trade pact has been a great success, but Australians are unhappy
24-Jul-2007 IATP
Much of the criticism in Australia focuses on the fact that the pact mandates changes in Australian laws that reflect US traditions, but not Australian traditions.
Govt goes ahead with Chile free trade deal
18-Jul-2007
Australia and Chile will go ahead with the drafting of a bilateral trade deal.
APRN strategy workshop on FTAs
13-Jul-2007
The Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) and AID/WATCH are pleased to invite you to a strategy workshop on the FTAs entitled: “To Oppose FTAs: Making People Matter”, that will take place on September 4-6, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The Strategy Workshop on the FTAs is an open and public gathering of trade campaigners within the region specifically timed to coincide with the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Sydney.
Japan wants resources clause in FTA deal
6-Jul-2007
Japan may try to have a specific clause to safeguard its imports of coal and iron ore inserted into any free trade deal with Australia.
Japan keeps rice out of free trade proposals
6-Jul-2007
Japan’s trade supremo Akira Amari has ruled out opening up the country’s rice market in a free trade agreement with Australia, saying Japan’s aim is to secure a deal that covers "90 per cent" of trade between the two countries.
Australia’s trade deficit improves, but Americans have the better of us
5-Jul-2007 SMH
Australia’s yearly trade deficit with the US has blown out by more than 35 per cent since the pair signed a bilateral trade deal, with the blame falling on a rising Australian dollar and weakening consumer demand in the US.
Asean FTA talks with partners not as expected
30-Jun-2007
The results of negotiations for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between Asean and India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have not been as expected and areas are still there where consensus have yet to reached.
US offers Canberra a Doha fallback over trade
28-Jun-2007
Australia could be invited to join the North American Free Trade Agreement as part of a strategy among Asia-Pacific nations to deal with the collapse of world trade talks.
Free trade with Indonesia on the cards
25-Jun-2007
Australia and Indonesia are to consider negotiating a free trade agreement, potentially opening up South-East Asia’s biggest market, but adding to pressure on the embattled textiles and clothing industry.
Meat group pushes for free trade agreement
25-Jun-2007
Meat and Livestock Australia is pushing the Federal Government for a free trade agreement with Korea and Japan to protect our lucrative export market.
Indonesia free trade deal in sight
25-Jun-2007
Australia and Indonesia are inching towards talks on freer trade, as the imminent collapse of global reform talks puts a greater focus on regional deals.
China free trade talks drag on, and on, and on
22-Jun-2007
Chinese philosopher Laozi said a thousand-li journey starts by taking the first step, but Australia’s free-trade agreement team is looking decidedly footsore.
Australia seeks equal trade rights in South Pacific
13-Jun-2007
Australia says it wants trade rights in the South Pacific equal to those being negotiated by the European Union.
Fear not farmers in Australia, Asia told
13-Jun-2007
Trade Minister Warren Truss has accused China and its neighbours of "unrealistic" fears that 140,000 farmers in Australia could wipe out a billion farmers in Asia if there were free trade in agriculture.
China trade talks are tough: Truss
13-Jun-2007
Trade Minister Warren Truss has dubbed long-running free trade talks with China as tortuous, a day after the Chinese warned relations with Australia could suffer because of a visit by the Dalai Lama.
Japanese farmers protests Australia FTA
13-Jun-2007 Radio Australia
More than 1,000 Japanese farmers have held a protest rally in the centre of Tokyo over a proposed free trade agreement with Australia.
A dubious and secret influence on our public health policy
12-Jun-2007
Australians have a natural dislike of faceless people making major government policy decisions. Such activity seems to run counter to core principles about how a democracy should operate. Yet, this is what appears to have happened with the Medicines Working Group, established under the free trade agreement between Australia and the United States.
Talks to look at Pacific trade deal
12-Jun-2007
A meeting in August is likely to explore the possibility of a free trade agreement between Pacific Island countries and New Zealand and Australia but rapid progress is not expected.
Japanese farmers up free trade protest
12-Jun-2007 ABC Online
Japanese farmers have stepped up their campaign against a proposed free trade deal with Australia.
Australia And New Zealand Seek Pacific FTA
12-Jun-2007
Australia and New Zealand will begin discussions in August to strike a free trade deal with a group of Pacific island nations.