ABC News (Australia) interviewed Trade Minister Mark Vaile about a proposed free trade deal between Australia and China:
The Trade Minister Mark Vaile insists that Australia has not agreed to any areas of the economy being excluded from a proposed free trade deal with China. Some Chinese officials have expressed concern about Australian farm products and indicated that they should be treated differently.
Yesterday the Prime Minister John Howard agreed to start negotiations on an FTA with China. The Opposition suggested the wording of that agreement meant the Government was paving the way to exclude some sectors of the economy, like valuable agricultural exports.
Mr Vaile has told Louise Yaxley everything is on the negotiating table.
