The free trade agreement with ASEAN countries, which came into effect this week, offers little benefit to Australian producers while removing all tariffs on food imported into Australia, according to the leader of The Nationals and Shadow Trade Minister, Warren Truss.”This free trade agreement is an alarming example of what Labor is prepared to concede to get a seat at a treaty signing ceremony,” Mr Truss contended. “AANZFTA may well be the first trade agreement Australia has signed... ...Read more »

Federal Trade Minister Simon Crean yesterday welcomed the commencement of Australia’s largest free trade agreement – the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), with food exporters likely to be among the lead beneficiaries. The historic agreement will span 12 economies with over 600 million people and a combined GDP of $3.1 trillion. “The commencement of this agreement is a major milestone and opens up significant opportunities for Australian businesses in one... ...Read more »