Australia waves trade-ban stick

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 6

Australia waves trade-ban stick

(PA Canberra ( Australia will be forced to I re-examine imports from the (European Economic Com'munity unless the Community gives greater access to Australian agricultural products, says its Acting Prime Minister (Mr Anthony). In a forthright statement yesterday, Mr Anthony said that as a result of the E.E.C.’s rejection on Friday of Australian proposals for improved trade, he was now “very sceptical” of the expressed sincerity of the Community. Government sources disclosed yesterday that restrictions on a wide range of European imports would be implemented if fresh negotiations between the nine E.E.C. countries and the Minister for Special Trade Representations (Mr Garland) failed. The sources told NZPA that items already discussed by the Australian Cabinet included military, airline.

i technical and commun- > ications equipment, and ! some primary products in- - eluding brandy, wine and - cheese. > Any European aircraft would be ruled out as a posi'sible replacement for the R.A.A.F.’s Mirage fighters, Hand the European Air Bus 11 would be ruled out for i(domestic airlines, they said. ' The Prime Minister (Mr • Fraser) said in London at ’ the week-end that Australia • might be forced to re-exam-ine the “totality” of its trading relationship with the E.E.C., but he refused to be ■ drawn on specifics. ’ Mr Anthony, in his state- ; ment yesterday, went further, saying: . . unless the ! E.E.C. is prepared to move ! from its present position, i Australia will have no other recourse but to examine the basis of its trading and . economic policies in relation I to the Community, including of course its purchasing policies.”