U.S.A.—AUSTRALIAN TRADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1936, Page 7

U.S.A.—AUSTRALIAN TRADE

NO TREATY NEGOTIATIONS. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] WASHINGTON, April 17. While giving the trade situation between America and Australia its most careful consideration, the State Department has made it clear, in a statement to the Australian Associated Press to-day, that no early opening of negotiations for a reciprocal trade treaty may be expected. It is pointed out that the American reciprocal trade programme aims at better world-wide trading conditions, with a reduction of tariff barriers wherever possible. America does not seek exclusive bilateral preferences. Hence Australia will indirectly benefit by any lowering of the tariff walls which America accomplishes with industrial countries which purchase foodstuffs and industrial raw materials.

Another angle of the problem, expressed unofficially by observers, is in regard to political consequences in the coming American election campaign. It is believed that the State Department would like immediately to broaden the scope of the trade negotiations. But the opposition political opinion is likely to attack any measure favouring the imports of agricultural products. Such a difficulty, it is said, is responsible for the delay in Lthe opening of negotiations.