United States and Australia Hold FTA Joint Commission Talks

View the USTR press release regarding U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk’s October 15 meeting with Australian Minister of Trade Simon Crean to review progress under the United States - Australian Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This was the fourth review of implementation of the agreement, which went into effect in 2005. During the meeting Ambassador Kirk and Minister Crean reviewed the implementation and operation of the FTA. They discussed in detail a range of issues covered by the agreement, including agriculture, intellectual property rights, and investment, labor and environment issues. On multilateral issues, Ambassador Kirk emphasized the United States' resolve to achieve an ambitious and balanced conclusion to the WTO Doha Round. They also discussed advancing a bold agenda at the November Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers' and Leaders' meetings, as well as other regional economic developments.