The Wire

Trade Minister Mark Vaille, today announced the start of free trade Talks with China. The deal, which may take several years to negotiate, is the product of closer trade relations between Australia and the Asian superpower. Today’s talks are preliminary, covering the timetable for the discussions and the sectors to be assessed in the deal. The deal has been made possible by Australia’s acknowledgement of China’s Free market status. This is something the US has so far refused to do, claiming it isn’t a “free” economy as the Chinese government routinely interferes with it. While tough negotiations are expected over Australia’s manufacturing sector and China’s rural sector, one difficult issue which will not be on the agenda is China’s human rights record. This report begins with comments from Mark Thurwell, the Program Director of International Economy at the Lowy institute of International Relations. He says one benefit of a successful deal with China would be a formalisation of Australia’s growing trade ties with China.