July 15, 2004
WHAT ABOUT THE STEEL TARIFFS?:
US House approves Aust trade deal (The Age, July 15, 2004)
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a free trade agreement with Australia today, despite last-minute concerns the pact could hamper congressional efforts to allow imports of lower-priced medicine into the United States.The House voted 314-109 to pass the United States' first free trade agreement with a developed country since a 1989 deal with Canada.
The Senate Finance Committee also voted 17-4 in favour of the agreement, setting the stage for a full Senate vote, possibly within 24 hours.
The accord would then go to US President George Bush for signing.
The pact "brings the United States and Australia closer together economically," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, a California Republican, said.
"No two countries in the world are closer in terms of their views of the world, especially in terms of strategic military concerns."
The vote is a victory for the Bush administration, which has pursued an ambitious agenda of trade negotiations since taking office.
Mr. Bush continues to burnish his record as the most accomplished free trade president ever. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 15, 2004 8:27 AM
Hey hey! Free trade for us!
Of course you realise this means we will eat your bloated, government-subsidised farmers alive? And steel! Oh Lord we gonna sell us some steel!
Posted by: Amos at July 15, 2004 2:14 PMMr. Judd;
I'm not clear on why the House voted on this. Isn't it a treaty to be approved by the Senate?
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at July 15, 2004 3:40 PMAOG: The House actually voted on enabling legislation to bring domestic law into conformance with the trade agreement.
Posted by: David Cohen at July 15, 2004 4:33 PMThe Senate vote to approve was 80-16.
Posted by: jim hamlen at July 16, 2004 1:57 PM