Freer Trade

Australia is a trading nation. For more than two centuries, our prosperity has depended on our ability to trade our products.

Blessed with vast natural resources and a significant agricultural industry, Australia has thrived on exports.

Although the economy has developed over the decades, with the nature of manufacturing changing, and services exports becoming more significant, our ability to trade as freely as possible remains critical to Australia’s continuing prosperity.

That is why the pursuit of trade agreements, including the TPP, helps us to achieve freer trade.

It is also important to tackle tarrif and non-tarrif barriers, as Australia did recently with President Trump.

These are issues that I will continue to pursue as chair of the Coalition’s new Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism and Innovation Committee.