December 3, 2020 by MMinspect
Truss reiterated that negotiations on a free trade agreement were another step towards a broader strategic relationship with Chile and with Australia`s relations with Latin America in general. He said the government was committed to securing new trade and investment opportunities for Australian businesses by successfully concluding bilateral free trade negotiations. According to the Australian government, the government hopes to use the agreement as a model for other free trade agreements with other countries. [5] The Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement is a trade agreement between Chile and Australia. It was signed on July 30, 2008 and came into effect in the first quarter of 2009. [1] The agreement was due to enter into force on 1 January 2009, but was postponed because Chile was unable to complete its ratification in time. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) continues to welcome the Australian industry`s view of the specific barriers they face in the Chilean market. Submissions don`t have to be long – a short email with details of the obstacles companies face in Chile would suffice. The FDFA will continue to accept bids during negotiations. For more information, see: www.dfat.gov.au/geo/chile/fta/index.html. The agreement covers trade in goods, services and investment and is the most comprehensive free trade agreement Australia has negotiated with another agricultural producing country since the agreement on closer economic relations with New Zealand. Both countries reaffirmed their determination to negotiate a comprehensive and quality agreement. A second round of negotiations is scheduled for Santiago in October.
Australia`s major exports to Chile include coal, construction equipment, special machinery and vehicles, and the free trade agreement will support new trade and investment opportunities for Australia in a number of sectors, including: farmers and horticulturists protested the deal in the Australian parliament before the agreement was adopted. Protesters say the deal would be less than Australian food producers by allowing cheap food from Chile. [6] Simon Crean, Australia`s Trade Minister, responded to farmers` concerns by saying that tariffs were quite low or, in some cases, non-existent because of previous international trade agreements. [7] After Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss announced on July 18, 2007 that Australia had decided to continue negotiations for a free trade agreement with Chile, a first round of formal talks was held in Canberra between August 7 and 9. Once adopted, the agreement requires Chile to remove tariffs on 91.9% of tariffs, which cover 96.9% of trade from Australia. Australia will reduce tariffs by 90.8%, which covers 97.1% of Chile`s trade.
