AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21761, 18 April 1936, Page 15

AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA

TRADE SITUATION DISCUSSED NO EARLY NEGOTIATIONS FOE RECIPROCAL TREATY (dotted press association— coptbight.) (Received April 17, 9.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 17. Although it is giving the trade situation between America and Australia most careful consideration the State Department made it clear in a statement to the Australian Associated Press to-day that no early opening of negotiations for a reciprocal treaty may be expected. It was stated that a reciprocal trade programme aims at better world-wide trading conditions,'with a reduction of the tariff barrier wherever possible. America does not seek exclusive bilateral preferences. Hence Australia will indirectly benefit bv any lowering of tariff walls America accomplishes with industrial countries which purchase foodstuffs and industrial raw materials Another angle of the problem, expressed unofficially by observers, is the political consequences of the coming election campaign. It is believed that the State Department would like immediately to broaden the scope of trade negotiations, but opposition political opinion is likely to attack any measure favouring imports of agricultural products. Such is the difficulty, it is said, which is causing the delay in the opening of negotiations.