Fed: US press largely ignores trade pact

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2004
Fed: US press largely ignores trade pact

Australia's trade pact with the United States has barely rated a mention in American
newspapers, with the story mostly confined to business pages.

Most accounts see the deal as a win for American farm lobbies, with The Los Angeles
Times saying US agricultural interests have won a big victory.

But the New York Times says the US has failed to win agreement on issues sought by
the drug and entertainment industries.

And a common theme in newspaper commentaries is that the deal could undermine the current
round of world trade negotiations.

The Washington Post says the United States' hard line on sugar, beef and dairy products
will harm its efforts to promote liberalisation of world trade.

This echoes Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM, who says the government's deal has undermined
Australia's push for freer world trade.

He says critics can now point to the US trade deal, which offers no access to sugar
and an 18-year wait for free access for Australian beef.

AAP RTV dw/wjf/rt

KEYWORD: TRADE US PRESS (CANBERRA)

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