Time runs out for free trade talks (Aust & US)

[rooboy]

Top Australian and US trade negotiators have all but run out of time to seal a free trade pact, which is threatened by a row over access to US markets.

Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile and US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick locked horns all day Friday in search of a last-minute deal.

"Negotiations are continuing. We are working hard to complete the free trade agreement," said Richard Mills, Mr Zoellick's spokesman.

An Australian official said: "They are still talking."

The talks hit a sticky patch after the United States dug in its heels over access to its heavily-protected sugar market.

Australia is also understood to be seeking access to the US dairy and beef sectors.

Australia has warned that there must be agreement on all areas for a deal to succeed.

But a congressional source familiar with the talks suggests both sides may be working on a face saving formula, with the US perhaps offering concessions in other markets.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1040193.htm

[oscarmitre]

1. For 'tis sport

to see the engineer hoist with with his own petard!

Our conservative PM is facing incredible domestic pressure from our sugar producers in our Deep North over this. He has a heap of other industry reps rah-rah-ing over the FTA because they see (probably illusory) benefits but the sugar producers and the dairy and beef producers are up against the pressure from the various US lobbies who want to protect their domestic interests from potential Australian intrusion.

This is better than the Superbowl (although the only teats you will see will likely belong to a Holstein).