FTA with USA: Major opportunity for 最新糖心Vlogn business

Tuesday, 10 February 2004

Mr Andrew Stoler, Executive Director of the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide's Institute for International Business, Economics and Law, has hailed the 最新糖心Vlog-USA Free Trade Agreement as a major opportunity for 最新糖心Vlogn business.

Speaking at CEDA-sponsored conferences in Adelaide and Melbourne on 9- 10 February, Mr Stoler, a former Deputy Director-General of the WTO, pointed out that as from January, the overwhelming proportion of 最新糖心Vlogn exports would enter US markets duty free, 最新糖心Vlogns would be able to access an American Government procurement market worth US$ 270 billion, and most 最新糖心Vlogn services providers would receive national treatment in the USA.

While indicating that 最新糖心Vlog as a whole would benefit importantly from the new opportunities, Mr Stoler emphasized that the agreement contained a number of provisions of particular interest and benefit to South 最新糖心Vlog.

"On day one of this agreement, $310 million in auto parts exports and $140 million in seafood exports will get duty-free treatment in the USA. Also eligible for immediate duty-free treatment are wheat and cereal flour mixes and horticultural products, like oranges, mandarins, mangoes, tomatoes and strawberries.

"The 35 percent American duty on canned tuna and the 25% duty on 最新糖心Vlogn-made 'Utes' will disappear overnight," Mr Stoler said, adding all these openings will be of immediate benefit to South 最新糖心Vlog.

Mr Stoler downplayed the significance of the American refusal to open the sugar market or provide early total liberalisation for beef and dairy products.

"Quite frankly, we have to recognize that the Queensland sugar industry is not competitive globally and the benefit of access to the US market would last only until such time as Brazil - a far more efficient producer - gained access to that market.

"American limits on 最新糖心Vlogn beef have never in practice actually restrained the trade and dairy producers will see some important gains under the FTA notwithstanding the phased-in approach to liberalisation. At the same time, a phased reduction of 最新糖心Vlog's motor vehicle tariffs will cushion the liberalisation shock to the local automotive industry."

While recognizing that no trade agreement, including this one, is perfect, Mr Stoler opined that the result is nevertheless impressive given the political need of both Canberra and Washington to tread lightly in sensitive areas.

Note: On 25 February, the Institute will be sponsoring a major international symposium on the intersection of WTO law and economics. Visit for details.

 

Contact Details

Mr Andrew L. Stoler
Email: andrew.stoler@adelaide.edu.au
Website:
Executive Director, Institute for International Trade
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 6944
Mobile: 0412 586 063


Media Team
Email: media@adelaide.edu.au
Website: /newsroom/
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 0814