Australia’s conclusion of negotiations with the United States of a so-called free trade agreement (FTA) raises many important issues. The first, and overwhelmingly the most important, issue is whether the agreement serves, or goes against, the national interest.In a serious negotiation with a major economic power, it is unrealistic to hope that we can gain more than we give. But at the very least, our negotiators, and the government on whose behalf they negotiate, should aim to achieve some kind…
