AeA Praises Congress for Passage of U.S.–Australia Free Trade Agreement Act
Agreement Presents Substantial Market Opportunities for U.S. High-Tech Industry

Washington, D.C. - July 16, 2004 - AeA, the nation’s largest high-tech trade association, today praised Congress for the passage of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Act.  The agreement, which passed the House of Representatives Friday by a vote of 314-109, passed the Senate last night by an 80-16 vote.

“This agreement will help further increase substantial market opportunities for the U.S. high tech industry in Australia, and we are pleased this Act has passed both the House and Senate,” said Rob Mulligan, Senior Vice President International for AeA.  “The United States’ high-tech sector had a trade surplus with Australia in 2003, exporting over $2 billion in high-tech products and services.  This agreement will improve market access by eliminating tariffs on all U.S. high-tech manufactured goods developed since the WTO Informational Technology Agreement.  The U.S.-Australia FTA will also improve platforms for e-commerce initiatives, intellectual property rights, telecommunications services, and government procurement contracts and programs.

“Australia is a strategic ally and an important trading partner for the U.S. and its high-tech industry.  Implementation of this agreement will help open markets, eliminate tariffs and barriers, and ensure that our nation remains at the forefront of global economic success.”

Among the many provisions that will benefit the U.S. high-tech sector, this agreement will establish standards of protection and enforcement for copyrights and other intellectual property, allow U.S. suppliers to compete for a broad range of Australian government contracts, and ensure non-discriminatory access to and use of public telecom networks and services.

AeA is a member of the U.S. High-Tech Trade Coalition.

Advancing the business of technology, AeA is the nation's largest high-tech trade association. AeA represents more than 3,000 companies with 1.8 million employees. These 3000+ companies span the high-technology spectrum, from software, semiconductors, medical devices and computers to Internet technology, advanced electronics and telecommunications systems and services. With 17 regional U.S. councils and offices in Brussels and Beijing, AeA offers a unique global policy grassroots capability and a wide portfolio of valuable business services and products for the high-tech industry. AeA has been the accepted voice of the U.S. technology community since 1943.

This page was last updated on 07/16/04.