U.S., Aussie to open FTA talks

U.S., Aussie to open FTA talks

SYDNEY: Australia and the United States will open talks here this week aimed at securing a free trade pact slashing import barriers across all industries including agriculture, officials said Wednesday.

Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile said he would meet U.S. Trade Representative Bob Zoellick for private talks on the deal Thursday ahead of a World Trade Organization ministerial meeting the following day.

Although Australia has been pushing to begin talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States for more than two years, it has been stymied until now by the opposition of the powerful U.S. farm lobby.

But the U.S. farmers are understood to have relaxed their stance and reports here said Zoellick's office would advise the U.S. Congress Thursday of its intention to begin negotiations, triggering a 90-day notification procedure. -- AFP