A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United States of America (USA) appears to present a unique opportunity to advance the interests of Australian business. However, to what extent would free trade benefit Australia? An FTA superficially seems to offer significant benefits to Australia in terms of employment and the expansion of Australian business internationally. However, major market access barriers face Australian exporters, particularly in the agricultural sector. A free trade agreement would aim to correct any obstacles. Areas of Australian business would be pursued freely in the US market - services, manufacturing, investment, electronic commerce, telecommunications, intellectual property rights, and the movement of people. It is through these sectors that a bilateral free trade agreement presents positive and negative implications to Australian business.
Australian businesses have had difficulties competing in the international marketplace. …
