ISDS Case Map
Australia
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.
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.
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.
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.
A leading economist said Indonesia does not necessarily seek to have free trade agreement (FTA) bilaterally with many other countries.
Nothing had been excluded from negotiations on a free-trade agreement between Australia and China, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.
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.
As with the US-Australia FTA, there will be winners and losers.
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.
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.
