22 May 1936

The Minister for Trade and Customs announces in Parliament

that certain imports would be restricted with a view to their manufacture in Australia. Certain other imports it was intended to change the present sources of supply to other countries which were great customers of Australia ..and would become greater customers if Australia increased purchases from them.

This would be done by the adoption of a special licensing system over a limited range of imports (imports were prohibited, except under special license, of 84 classified groups of goods) and the imposition of higher duties.[83]

J. G. Crawford, Australian Trade Policy 1942-1966, ANU Press, Canberra, 1968, p. 393.

1 August 1936

The trade diversion policy of the Australian Government results in the United States Government withdrawing

most-favoured-nation treatment hitherto accorded to Australian goods including certain trade benefits extended to Australia equally with a number of countries with which the US had concluded trade agreements.[84]

J. G. Crawford, Australian Trade Policy 1942-1966, ANU Press, Canberra, 1968, p. 394.

7 December 1937

The Minister announces modifications of the licensing system - to protect Australian industries established under the licensing system, duties would be imposed and all licensing restrictions on the 84 groups of goods would be removed.

J. G. Crawford, Australian Trade Policy 1942-1966, ANU Press, Canberra, 1968, p. 394.

1 February 1938

The US restores most-favoured-nation status to Australian goods.

J. G. Crawford, Australian Trade Policy 1942-1966, ANU Press, Canberra, 1968, p. 394.

18 November 1938

The Minister for Commerce, Sir Earle Page, makes a statement to the House on an Anglo-American Trade Agreement.

As was indicated when Ministers returned from abroad early this year, the possibility of Australia commencing commercial negotiations with the United States of America has been discussed informally. The study by both Governments of the problems involved, initiated some months back, is still proceeding and will, of course, now be continued in the light of the contents and the probable effects of the Anglo-American Agreement.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates, vol. 158, p. 1713.

1941

The US issues an invitation for exploratory talks on a trade treaty during an overseas tour by the Prime Minister of Australia.

J. G. Crawford, Australian Trade Policy 1942-1966, ANU Press, Canberra, 1968, p. 395.

17 February 1943

Australia includes the US in the list of Proclaimed Countries and gives the US intermediate Customs Tariff rates and primary duty concessions.

J. G. Crawford, Australian Trade Policy 1942-1966, ANU Press, Canberra, 1968, p. 394.

1947

Provisional entry into Force of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Through the GATT, Australia negotiates with the US, reductions in customs duties on a number of products - beef, veal, mutton, lamb, butter and wool.[85]

J. G. Crawford, Australian Trade Policy 1942-1966, ANU Press, Canberra, 1968, p. 390.

1947

The US proposes a treaty of commerce and friendship with Australia, a policy of the State Department to further good relations between the US and other countries. The aim of the treaty was to obtain reciprocal unconditional most-favoured-nation treatment.

The draft has been the subject of informal exchanges of views at intervals over several years. Difficulties associated with the reconciliation of existing Australian obligations with those proposed to be undertaken under the treaty, and difficulties arising from the limitation in the constitutional powers of the Commonwealth to implement a treaty covering some matters within the purview of the Australian States, have yet to be resolved before a test satisfactory to both parties can be arrived at.

D. F. Nicholson, Australias trade relations: an outline history of Australias overseas trading arrangements, F. W. Cheshire, Melbourne, 1955, pp. 116-117.

1965

The Vernon Committee[86], in its report, says

there is scope for a treaty dealing more specifically with trade, such as those with the United Kingdom and Japan.

and

Should the Kennedy Round come to nothing, the Committee repeats its suggestion for a bilateral trade treaty.

Vernon Report, vol I, ch.12, paras 76 & 82, p. 329 & p. 331.

1979

Under the multilateral trade negotiations (Tokyo Round) the Minister for Trade and Resources, Doug Anthony announces a bilateral agreement with the US. Australia would bind tariffs on a number of agricultural and industrial products.

R. H. Snape, L. Gropp & T. Luttrell, Australian Trade Policy 1965-1997, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, 1998, p. 396 & p. 399.

1985

The Prime Ministers Office is approached by the USTR Mike Smith, through the Department of Trade, about the possibility of a bilateral free trade agreement with the US.

R. Garnaut, An Australia-United States free trade agreement, Australian Journal of International Affairs, vol. 56, no. 1, p.123.

1986

The Government commissions a study through the Department of Trade and the Economic Planning Advisory Council (EPAC), to look at the possibility of Australia seeking a trade agreement with the US.[87] The study concluded that Australia should pursue trade liberalisation on a multilateral basis.

R. H. Snape, L. Gropp & T. Luttrell, Australian Trade Policy 1965-1997, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, 1998, p.458.

January1989

Canada-US Free Trade Agreement enters into force (this is superseded by NAFTA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada-U.S._Free_Trade_Agreement

10 September 1992

President Bush (Snr) details his economic plans during a campaign speech in Detroit. A compilation of his plan is issued called 'Agenda for American Renewal'. Its aim was to convince the nation

that its future lay within a web of free trade agreements with like-minded countries.

Australia was one of these countries.

The speech was the brainchild of Bob Zoellick, a free trade guru and long-time aide to the White House chief-of-staff, James Baker. Zoellick was convinced an array of bilateral agreements was the best way to lock in progress on the multilateral front.

G. Hywood, Trade deal that could finally smash our tyranny of size, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 August 2003.

13 October 1992

Prime Minister Paul Keating reports to the House on his trip to Japan, Singapore and Cambodia:

I told the Japanese Government that Australia would not be party to a trade arrangement which was directed against Japan.

Ministerial Statement, House of Representatives, Debates, 13 October 1992, p. 2002.

1993

A second study is commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,[88] but this finds Australia should opt for multilateral agreements.

R. H. Snape, L. Gropp & T. Luttrell, Australian Trade Policy 1965-1997, Allen & Unwin, 1998, p.458.

1993

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), between the US, Canada and Mexico, is ratified by the Congress, after vigorous national debates. NAFTA enters into force 1 January 1994.

M. Shifter, United States-Latin American Relations: Shunted to the Slow Track, Current History, February 1998.

6 March 1997

The USTR-designate Charlene Barshefsky releases The Presidents [Clinton] Trade Policy Agenda report:

.the United States will continue to negotiate reciprocal free trade agreements with individual nations in the Asia- Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore are a few of the possible partners in this respect[89].

A. Oxley, US ties Advance Free Trade, Australian Financial Review, 3 April 1997, p. 16.

20 June 1997

President Clinton is expected to discuss the possibility of an FTA with Prime Minister John Howard when they meet in Washington on the 27 June but the agreement is dependant on Congress granting the President fast-track trade negotiating authority.

C. Ryan & M. Dwyer, US urges free trade pact, Australian Financial Review, 20 June 1997, p. 1.

28 August 1997

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and Trade Minister Tim Fischer release Australias first White Paper on Foreign and Trade Policy. A key element includes:

.an emphasis on bilateral relationships as a means of advancing Australian interests. Strong bilateral relationships are not an alternative to regional and global efforts, but they form the basic building block of the Government's foreign and trade policy strategies.

Joint Statement The Minister For Foreign Affairs And The Deputy Prime Minister And Minister For Trade, Foreign And Trade Policy White Paper, media release, 28 August 1997.

November 1997

Congress does not give President Clinton fast-track authority for negotiating major agreements. Issues of labor and the environment generate considerable controversy.

L. Sek., Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track Authority for Trade Agreements): Background and Developments in the 107th Congress, CRS, 15 February 2002, pp. 3-4

4 August 1999

Prime Minister John Howard and the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jenny Shipley issue a joint communiqu as a result of a task force set up to examine the Australian New Zealand bilateral economic relationship.

New Zealand and Australia are willing to consider free trade arrangements with other significant individual economies or regional groupings, where they would deliver faster and deeper liberalisation than the multilateral process

Joint Prime Ministerial Task Force on Australia New Zealand Bilateral Economic Relations, Joint Prime Ministerial Communique, 4 August 1999.

December 2000

Michael Thawley, Australias Ambassador to the US, makes a speech to the American Australian Association in New York on the mutual benefits of an Australian free trade agreement with the US.

P. Kelly, Change in US sharpens our dilemma The Australian, 20 December 2000.

March 2001

Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer travels to the US and meets Secretary of State Colin Powell and USTR Bob Zoellick for discussions on a free trade agreement between Australia and the US.

Alexander Downer holds talks in Washington, ABC Radio AM, Reporter A. Cusack, 23 March 2001.

5 April 2001

Trade Minister Mark Vaile visits Washington for talks with USTR Bob Zoellick on the possibility of a free trade agreement with the US.

M. Vaile (Minister for Trade), Doorstop Interview: US Capitol Grounds, Washington, DC, 5 April 2001.

5 April 2001

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) issue a joint statement to oppose any deal that does not meet a number of key objectives including workers rights, environmental standards, transparency and accountability.

American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Joint Statement on a Possible U.S. - Australia Trade Agreement, 5 April 2001.

10 May 2001

President Bush places trade promotion authority (TPA) as a priority in his agenda for international trade.

L. Sek, Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track Authority for Trade Agreements): Background and Developments in the 107^th Congress, CRS, 2003.

21 June 2001

Trade minister Mark Vaile releases the results of a study by the Centre for International Economics (CIE) on a possible Australia-US FTA. The study finds that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States could increase Australia's real GDP by almost $US2 billion by 2010.

(Economic impacts of an AustraliaUnited States Free Trade Area, Prepared for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Centre for International Economics, Canberra & Sydney, June 2001.)

M. Vaile (Minister for Trade, US Free Trade Agreement Study finds benefits exist, media release, 21 June 2001.

29 August 2001

The APEC Study Centre, Monash University, release the report, An Australia-USA Free Trade Agreement: Issues and Implications:

Australian business would gain from improved access to the worlds largest economy, and there would also be a number of important flow-on effects, particularly in attracting US investment to Australia and expanding linkages with the dynamic US new economy and leading edge US business practices.

M. Vaile (Minister for Trade), New Study Supports US Free Trade Agreement, 29 August 2001.

August 2001

John Howard confirms the governments intention of pursuing a free trade agreement with the USA.

Question without Notice, Hansard, 30 August 2001, p.30678.

6 December 2001

US House of Representatives passes the trade promotion authority (TPA) bill (H.R. 3005) by a narrow margin.

An important issue was the designation of labor and the environment as negotiating objectives.

L. Sek, Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track Authority for Trade Agreements): Background and Developments in the 107^th Congress, CRS, 2003.

23 May 2002

The US Senate includes the TPA into a comprehensive trade bill (H.R. 3009) Trade Act 2002. The bill included TPA (in title XXI), reauthorization of Andean trade preferences, extension of the Generalized System of Preferences, and trade adjustment assistance (TAA). Two controversial differences with the House were: (1) the so-called Dayton-Craig amendment, which would allow the removal from an implementing bill any provisions to amend U.S. trade remedy laws, and (2) the level of tax credits for displaced workers to cover their health

L. Sek, Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track Authority for Trade Agreements): Background and Developments in the 107^th Congress, CRS, 2003.

June 2002

John Howard reports to the House that the US administration requires trade promotion authority from the American Congress to enable further negotiations to take place.

Question without notice, House Hansard, 17 June 2002, p. 3430.

12 June 2002

John Howard addresses the US Congress:

May I respectfully express the hope that Congress gives the President full authority to negotiate new trade agreements.

At the same time, we in America and Australia have an historic opportunity to give even greater momentum to our bilateral economic relationship. And that is why Australia has proposed the negotiation of a free trade agreement between our two countries. A comprehensive free trade agreement, by boosting trade and investment between us, would add a stronger economic dimension to the very deep bilateral ties that are already there.

Transcript of the Prime Minister The Hon John Howard Address to Joint Meeting Of The US Congress.

27 July 2002 / 1 August 2002

The Bush administration is given fast-track permission by Congress to negotiate trade agreements.

S. Marris, & R. Dalton, US paves way for free trade', The Australian, 29 July 2002.

6 August 2002

After some delays President Bush signs the trade bill into law (P.L. 107-210).

L. Sek, Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track Authority for Trade Agreements): Background and Developments in the 107^th Congress, CRS, 2003.

13 November 2002

President Bush authorises the USTR Bob Zoellick, to send a letter to Congress of the intention of the administration to begin negotiations with Australia on a free trade agreement.

Question without notice: Trade: United States, House Hansard, 14 November 2002, p.9079.

14 November 2002

Prime Minister John Howard, and USTR Bob Zoellick announce that Australia and the United States would start negotiations on an FTA.

Trade Minister Mark Vaile announces the Department would invite public submissions.

Transcript of the Prime Minister The Hon John Howard and Robert B. Zoellick, United States Trade Representative, Press Conference, Parliament House, Canberra.

M. Vaile(Minister for Trade), Vaile Hails Breakthrough for Australia-US Trade Relations, media release, 14 November 2002.

21 November 2002

The Government invites public submissions on the proposed free trade agreement.

The Office of Trade Negotiations will lead and coordinate the Government's approach to the negotiations with the United States. The Government will give high priority to the views and expertise of different groups on issues to be covered by the negotiations. It will consult widely, including with business, interested organisations and the general public, as it develops Australia's negotiating position.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement: Call for Submissions, media release, 21 November 2002.

15 January 2003

Deadline for public submissions on the proposed Australia United States FTA.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement Call For Submissions, Background Paper and Submissions

3 March 2003

Australia releases its formal list of objectives for negotiations on the FTA.

We will ensure outcomes from the FTA negotiations do not impair Australia's ability to deliver fundamental objectives in health care, education, consumer protection and supporting Australian culture and identity. The Government remains committed to preserving its ability to regulate in relation to social and cultural objectives, and will ensure the FTA is consistent with that goal.

M. Vaile (Minister for Trade), Vaile Announces Objectives for Australia - US FTA, media release, 3 March 2003.

17-21 March 2003

The first round of talks is held in Canberra. Australias chief negotiator is Stephen Deady and for the US Ralph Ives.

M. Wade, Free-trade dealers keep cards close to the chest, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 March 2003, p. 8.

And Media briefing on the first round., USTR,

And AUSFTA Briefing Paper No. 1, 2003, DFAT

24 April 2003

Trade Minister Mark Vaile, addresses the Australian Citrus Growers Conference and says that:

the FTA with the United States, and our other regional trade initiatives, are part of the most ambitious ever trade agenda for Australia.

Speech, Leeton, NSW, 7 April 2003, Citrus Growers' Annual Conference.

2 May 2003

After a visit to the US, Trade Minister Mark Vaile, says:

.... Australias role as a member of the Coalition of the Willing was praised and appreciated at every level. But we also received overwhelming support for an FTA with the US,.

We were consistently urged to complete the negotiations as quickly as possible and there was a wide recognition that an FTA would and should become a key element of our bilateral relationship.

M. Vaile (Minister for Trade), Vaile cites positive outcomes of US visit, media release, 2 May 2003.

3 May 2003

President Bush says of the prospect of the FTA:

We discussed the matter. I asked the Prime Minister, are we making, from the U.S. side, a strong enough effort to move the process along? Is Ambassador Zoellick doing what he's supposed to be doing, in terms of getting this trade agreement done? And the Prime Minister assured me that was the case. And so that made me feel good. The idea is to try to get this thing done by the end of the year, and then, of course, get it to our Congress in '04. It's -- I believe we can get it done, and I think it's an important -- will be an important step in our relationship.

Whitehouse Press release, President Bush, P.M. Howard Discuss Operation Iraqi Freedom - Remarks by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard of Australia, The Bush Ranch Crawford, Texas, 3 May 2003.

16 May 2003

Stephen Deady gives a media briefing on the work that has occurred since the last meeting and a preview of the discussions to be held next week in Hawaii.

Media briefing by Australias chief negotiator for the Australia United States Free Trade Agreement, 16 May 2003.

19-23 May 2003

The second round of negotiations takes place in Hawaii.

AUSFTA Briefing No. 2, 2003, DFAT.

23 May 2003

Stephen Deady and Ralph Ives discuss the progress of the second round of negotiations playing down reports that there was a threat to the PBS and Australian film industries.

Media briefing conducted by Australias chief negotiator Stephen Deady and the United Stateschief negotiator Ralph Ives, 23 May 2003.

PBS, Television content safe in trade deal: Vaile, Canberra Times, 24 May 2003, p. 13.

21-25 July 2003

The third round of talks held in Hawaii. Initial market access offers were put on the table. Trade Minister, Mark Vaile rates the deal as a better than 50% chance of success.

The initial US offer on agriculture was not as forward-looking as we had hoped, although the industrials offer had more positive elements. We have underlined to the US the importance of providing a credible market access offer if we are to stay on course for completing negotiations by the end of 2003.

AUSFTA Briefing No. 3, 2003, DFAT.

P. Karvelas, Vaile rates US trade deal, The Australian, 21 July 2003, p.4.

25 July 2003

The 2 chief negotiators update the progress of the talks.

Stephen Deady

We have made good progress in a number of areas across all of the negotiating groups this week and we are on track to have, to a large extent, a broad consolidated text by the end of this round.

Ralph Ives

.we had a very positive and constructive round of negotiations. I think both the United States and Australia share a strong commitment to work hard to try to achieve a world-class agreement within the timeframe that our leaders have given us.

Media briefing on the third round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Australia and the United States, 21-25 July in Hawaii, 25 July 2003.

27 July 2003

Trade Minister, Mark Vaile meets US Trade Representative Bob Zoellick in Washington.

As a result of our frank discussions on Friday, Bob Zoellick and I agreed on a timetable for the next five months - outlining the key steps needed to get this deal done.

M. Vaile (Minister for Trade), Australia-US FTA on track to conclude this year, Media Release, 27 July 2003.

10-14 September 2003

The Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference is held in Cancn, Mexico. The main task was to set parameters for further negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda. Australia is represented by Trade Minister Mark Vaile. Talks collapse and the President of the American Farm Bureau, Bob Stallman says the prospects of an FTA would be damaged by the failure.

The Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference

R. Eccleston,, Collapse a setback for deal with US, The Australian, 16 September 2003, p.8.

14 September 2003

Trade Minister Mark Vaile meets with the Bob Stallman, head of the Farm Bureau and US Trade Representative Bob Zoellick while in Mexico. He comments there is still a lot of work to do but my confidence is growing.

Vaile claims Australia is close on US trade Pact, Canberra Times, 15 September 2003, p.3.

20 October 2003

While in Thailand for the APEC Ministerial meeting, Mark Vaile meets Bob Zoellick to map out a schedule for talks to the end of the year.

M. McGuire, US Trade Deal can be done on time says Vaile, The Australian, 22 October 2003, p. 9.

21 October 2003

The Labor Premiers, Bob Carr (NSW) Peter Beattie (Queensland) Steve Bracks (Victoria) Dr Geoff Gallop (WA); Jim Bacon (Tasmania); Mike Rann (SA); and Chief Minister, Ms Clare Martin (NT) issue a statement urging the

United States Government to conclude swiftly a Free Trade Agreement with Australia.

Media Release & Statement by the Labor Premiers and Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, 21 October 2003.

23 October 2003

US President George Bush and Prime Minister John Howard hold talks in Canberra. Mr Howard expressed the need to get the agreement finalised by the end of the year and the need for concessions in agriculture. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the end of year target for completion.

T. Allard, Fears grow over free-trade del concessions, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 October 2003, p.6.

27-31 October 2003

The fourth Round of Negotiations takes place in Canberra.

AUSFTA Briefing No. 4, 2003, DFAT.

27 October 2003

The chief negotiators Stephen Deady and Ralph Ives update the progress of the negotiations to this point.

Stephen Deady

For Australia's part we will continue to be pressing for a truly comprehensive and big market access deal on agriculture as well as pursuing our objectives in a number of other areas. The Australian Government remains committed to an ambitious outcome across the board.

Ralph Ives

During this Fourth session, we'll be addressing the full range of issues. Between sessions we've been working very hard... So we've been continuing the work even in between sessions.

Transcript of Media briefing in Canberra on the start of the fourth round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Australia and the United States.

31 October 2003

Update of the fourth round of talks.

Stephen Deady

We had three solid days of negotiations on agriculture. We talked through our market access priorities..

At officials level, we will be following up this week's meetings with Australian industry, with State and Territory Governments and other stakeholders as we further refine our approaches for the final round of negotiations .

Ralph Ives

Unfortunately we don't yet agree on everything in the package, but I agree with everything Steve has said about the very productive week we've had here. We've covered a full range of issues. We've considerably narrowed the differences on many issues.

Media briefing in Canberra following the fourth round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

21 November 2003

Trade minister Mark Vaile urges the film and television industry to take a deep breath and calm down over what might happen to the industry under the free trade agreement.

M. Cole, Vaile urges actors lobby to cool it on free trade, Courier Mail, 22 November 2003, p. 5.

Transcript, Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, 774 ABC Melbourne, Free Trade Agreement

23 November 2003

Trade Minister Mark Vaile leaves for Washington to hold further talks with USTR Bob Zoellick.

I spoke to Bob Zoellick on the phone a week or so ago and we agreed it would be useful for us to meet again prior to the fifth round of talks between our two negotiating teams starting on 1 December

Our discussions on a number of the key outstanding issues will be important in setting the scene and providing further guidance for our negotiators to enable them to achieve maximum progress in their discussions.

M. Vaile (Minister for Trade), Media Release, Vaile Heads to Washington for Further Talk, 23 November 2003.

27 November 2003

Voting on trade - Inquiry into the General Agreement on Trade in Services and an Australia-US Free Trade Agreement is tabled in the Australian Parliament.

https://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fadt_ctte/gats/report/index.htm

1-5 December 2003

The fifth round of negotiations are held in Washington.

5 December 2003

The chief negotiators update the progress.

Ralph Ives

We made considerable progress this round, we've covered a wide range of issues, we've covered every chapter in the agreement, and the text of many chapters is very close to completion. We're now in.the home stretch of the negotiations towards constructing a world class free trade agreement which is of course the objectives of both Australia and the United States and our leaders. And this FTA will provide mutual benefits to our consumers, to our farmers, to our ranchers, to business people across both countries.

Transcript, US-Australia Free Trade Agreement Negotiation Press Conference Embassy of Australia, Mr Ralph Ives - US lead negotiator and Mr Stephen Deady - Australian lead negotiator, 5 December 2003.

6 December 2003

Trade Minister Mark Vaile says that the agreement would not be completed by the end of the year and that there were still outstanding differences, including agriculture.

Free trade deal with US bound for failure, Courier Mail, 6 December 2003, p. 5.

And

Trade deal hinges on key issues, Canberra Times, 6 December 2003, p.9.

15 January 2004

Trade Minister Mark Vaile and chief negotiator Stephen Deady say that if agreement is not reached in the next few weeks then it will not happen until after the Presidential elections in November.

M. Cole, Tight deadline for trade deal, The Courier-Mail, 16 January 2004, p.9.

19 January 2004

Resumption of the fifth round of talks in Washington. Mr Howard says:

I think we have got a slightly better than 50-50 chance of getting it.

Transcript, Media briefing by Trade Minister Mark Vaile and US FTA chief negotiator Stephen Deady

M. Davis, & A. Fabro, US free-trade deal a 50-50 chance, says Howard, Australian Financial Review, 19 January 2004, p.3.

26 January 2004

Trade Minister Mark Vaile and USTR Bob Zoellick meet in Washington to discuss the difficult issues not agreed by the negotiating teams.

After 7 days of negotiations, Australian officials say that the US will not give significant access to Australian sugar and improved access for beef and dairy products would be minimal. They are battling to save the agreement.

M. Davis, & A. Fabro, US free-trade deal a 50-50 chance, says Howard, Australian Financial Review, 19 January 2004, p.3.

M. Wilkinson, US not sweet on sugar as talks flag, Age, 26 January 2004, p.1.

8 February 2004

USTR Bob Zoellick and Trade Minister Mark Vaile announce they have reached agreement.

Sugar was excluded from the deal.

Transcript of press conference with US Trade Representative, Ambassador Bob Zoellick, and Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, on conclusion of FTA negotiations in Washington, DC.

9 February 2004

Prime Minister John Howard defends the decision to sign the free trade agreement excluding sugar. The historic agreement is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Cabinet gives in principle, broad approval of the agreement.

Transcript of the Prime Minister The Hon John Howard, Press Conference, Parliament House, Canberra.

20 February 2004

Trade Minister Mark Vaile addresses a business breakfast and outlines the benefits of the deal.

Our FTA with the United States is a once in a life-time deal.

It is a deal that will improve market access for Australian goods and services across the board into the largest and most dynamic economy in the world.

Speech to the Business Breakfast Roundtable on the USFTA.

4 March 2004

Draft text of the agreement is released.

Transcript Background Briefing on the draft text of the Australia - United States Free Trade Agreement.

Transcript Doorstop, Canberra: Australias Chief Negotiator for the Australia United States Free Trade Agreement, Stephen Deady, on todays release of the AUSFTA draft text.

5 March 2004

The USTR Trade Advisory Groups reports are released. The reports cover different sectors and topics and are broadly in support of the FTA, except for the Labor Advisory Committee.

http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Australia/advisor/index.htm

6 March 2004

DFAT releases a guide and a series of fact sheets on the agreement.

8 March 2004

Trade Minister Mark Vaile refers the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties for inquiry and report.

https://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct/usafta/index.htm

30 March 2004

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties tables the National Interest Analysis and Regulation Impact Statement in the Australian Parliament.

http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/negotiations/us_fta/ris/index.html

31 March 2004

The US Department of Agriculture releases fact sheets for agricultural commodities.

http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/Australia/us-auscommodityfactsheets.html

30 April 2004

The Centre for International Economics releases the report commissioned by DFAT, Economic Analysis of AUSFTA: Impact of the bilateral free trade agreement with the United States. This confirms there will be economic benefits for Australia in the FTA.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, CIE Study Confirms Gains from an Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, media release, 30 April 2004.

13 May 2004

The Australian Senate sets up a Select Committee on the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States of America.

https://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/freetrade_ctte/index.htm

18 May 2004

Trade Minister Mark Vaile and USTR Bob Zoellick sign the AUSFTA in Washington. This will allow the US Congress to consider the agreement by July.

Final text of the agreement is released.[90]

M. Vaile, (Minister for Trade), Vaile and Zoellick Sign Free Trade Agreement, media release, 18 May 2004.

24 May 2004

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) releases its report assessing the FTA.

The investigation, U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement: Potential Economywide and Selected Sectoral Effects, was requested by the USTR Bob Zoellick. The report found a small net economic benefit to the US.

ITC Releases Report Concerning the Impact of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, News Release, 24 May 2004.