Australia still eager for free trade agreement

Campbell Cooney

Last Updated: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 22:34:00 +1100

Australia is continuing to lobby Pacific Island countries to sign a free trade agreement.

But some regional trade commentators have raised concerns about the pressure Australia is applying to convince aid reliant governments to sign the PACER Plus free trade document.

Australia's Trade Minister Simon Crean has spent the week travelling the Pacific trying to convince the government of some of the smaller Island Nations to support the "Pacer Plus" free trade agreement, which the Rudd Labour government says will improve trade and drop prices.

After his first meeting with the Vanuatu government Mr Crean told local reporters its leaders were supportive.

But Vanuatu's Trade Minister James Bule has previously told Radio Australia there's no guarantee Vanuatu will sign up.

"We haven't signed yet," he said.

"But we've joined the negotiations."

Some Pacific nations, are worried about Pacer Plus, concerned it will mean a flood of cheap low value imports from Australia and an end to what export markets they have.

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