China Fair Trade Agreement - Cheaper Telescopes?

[davewaldo]

Hi Everyone,

I heard today that Australia and China are putting the finishing touches on a FTA between our two countries.

Does anyone know if this will result in cheaper astronomy products manufactured in China? Or perhaps other benefits for our local retailers?

Thanks,

Dave.

[Louwai]

Not unless you're going to buy many thousands of the same item.
Then you'll get a discount.

I personally have visited several factories in China with a view to set up trade relations.
One common response I got was

"not a big enough market for us to worry about"

This was referring to the country of Australia. Many Chinese factories are not interested in Australia because we ONLY have 20 million people, & to them that's not a big enough market & therefore they won't waste their time.
FTA or no FTA..

[ruggiero54]

I believe what you are referring to is a FTA (Free Trade Agreement), however don't let the word "free" mis-lead you.
To learn more, visit http://www.daff.gov.au/market-access-trade/fta
After 10 rounds of negotiations, and the 11th to be held in Beijing sometime this year, the FTA is still a long way away and the prospect of us receiving goods from China cheaper than they already are doesn't rate a mention (as that is not the purpose of an FTA) ! http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/china/fta/071101_subscriber_update.html
:)

[Ian Robinson]

Well , if it's anything like the agreement we have the yanks , it will benefit them more than it will ever benefit us and will have absolutely benefit to us mere mortals .

[CoombellKid]

I'm not an FTA expert... but it seems to me they have no real use except
if someone in one country farts someone in another country pays for it.

Can anyone list one good thing that came from the FTA with the US :shrug:
just one? :shrug: even a hint of anything good??? :shrug: why did we do it :screwy:

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Oh' yeah there was one.... not sure how good to the coutry it was. But
just after the FTA deal was signed with the US. Channel 7's Sunrise got
a make over... now looks like the US's Good Morning America.

regards,CS

[davewaldo]

Thanks everyone for the info.... :)

My mistake, not "Fair Trade" its a Free trade agreement.