Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott remains optimistic a free trade arrangement (FTA) can be struck with China over the next year.
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Commission after a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang this week, Abbott indicated his government were hoping to sign off on the terms of agreement as soon as possible, with a visit to China in the first half of 2014 flagged as a potential opportunity.
“It would be wonderful if a trip towards the end of the first half of next year was consummated by an agreement here,” Abbott said.
“Our intention is to move as quickly as we can. I would be disappointed if we couldn’t conclude a significant free-trade agreement with China in 12 months.”
Australian Horticulture Exporters Association chairman David Minnis applauded Abbott's enthusiasm, but warned against rushing into an agreement without reading the fine print.
'I agree with Mr Abbott that even a half FTA would be better than nothing, as Australian producers are losing ground to Southern Hemisphere rivals such as New Zealand and Chile in the Chinese market,' Minnis said.
'The trouble with China being the great white hope is the temptation to jump into an agreement without seeing the pitfalls.
'Australia's horticulture industry got little out of the FTA with the US and we don't want to fall into the same trap again.'
