Roy Blunt: “listening to today's dialogue on the floor, I have been encouraged by the strong bipartisan support for the United…”

“listening to today's dialogue on the floor, I have been encouraged by the strong bipartisan support for the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Passing this implementation bill today will pave the way for an even deeper economic relationship with one of our most important strategic allies. The Australian Government has not only sided with us, but committed valuable troops and resources to helping the United States in every major conflict in the last century, including the global war on terror. Notably, Prime Minister Howard has shown courage and dedication to the cause of freedom over the past two years with his steadfast commitment to the coalition in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, like our own economy, Australia's is a modern, well-developed, transparent economic system. A deep trade relationship already exists between the United States and Australia in the form of $28 billion per year. As with every well-negotiated trade agreement, both sides will benefit immediately upon the enactment of this free trade agreement.”