Consumer Alert applauds passage of the U.S.--Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Consumer Alert applauded the passage of the U.S.--Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate in July. The agreement is a step in the right direction. As a consumer group CA is looking forward to the significant benefits for consumers in the U.S. and Australia that this trade agreement will provide. It might not be the best possible deal, but there is much consumers will gain from this agreement.

Congress also approved the passage of the U.S.--Morocco FTA which can assist Morocco's closer integration into the world economy.

As a consumer group, however, Consumer Alert is concerned about the continued "preferential treatment" of certain agricultural sectors in the U.S. that seriously undercuts the gains of open trade for consumers.

The U.S. market access provisions show a lack of commitment to achieving open competitive markets at a faster pace. For example, in the Morocco agreement the phasing out of high tariffs over periods of up to 18 years, as in the case for sugar and sugar-containing products, is contrary to the spirit of free trade.

In other trade news, Consumer Alert is hopeful that the agreement on an overall framework for more open trade by the 147 member countries of the World Trade Organization in July is a move in the right direction. After the breakdown of negotiations in Cancun, Mexico last September, the agreement offers hope that countries can carry out their commitments of the Doha Round of negotiations.