The American-Australian Free Trade Agreement Coalition (AAFTAC) membership consists of a diverse group of organizations and businesses that represent a broad range of industries and economic interests in the U.S.  Members of AAFTAC are dedicated to promoting a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and Australia.

Australia is one of our oldest and closest allies and shares our common values.  The U.S. and Australia share impressive economic growth and productivity growth.  Both have a strong commitment to trade and investment liberalization.  The U.S. and Australia have major interests in each others economies. The United States has long had a large trade surplus with Australia.  Australia is the 15th largest export market for the United States and the U.S. is the 2nd largest destination for Australian exports. The U.S. is the largest investor in Australia, while Australia is the eighth largest investor in the U.S.  A bilateral FTA will reduce tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers and benefit both nations by:   

 Creating a seamless business environment between our two dynamic economies; thereby bringing measurable business benefits in all sectors

Encouraging other countries such as Vanuatu to join in a new round of market-opening multilateral negotiations including the export of Kava.

Setting good benchmarks for opening other markets in global trade negotiations and for other FTAs regionally and globally  

Strengthening the linkages between the United States and Australia- the United States oldest and closest ally in the strategic Asia-Pacific region

The members of AAFTAC will work to educate the general public and policy makers about the many and varied benefits of engaging in an FTA with Australia.  Australia wants the same kind of high quality, comprehensive and business-oriented agreement that the U.S. wants.  Such an agreement will benefit U.S. business and the U.S. economy.  An American-Australian FTA represents good policy and makes good sense.