Free trade or bust

Despite calls for inward economic strategies due to the perceived vulnerability of integrated supply chains, access to international markets has proven to be a form of insurance in times of crisis, responding quickly and efficiently to COVID-19 and energy trade disruptions.

Making the most of Australia’s free trade agreements

Australia has been at the forefront of trade liberalisation, negotiating and signing a record number of FTAs with most of its important trading partners over the last two decades.

Not-so-free trade in the Asia Pacific

Free trade facilitated rapid economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, but new trade barriers, geopolitical rivalries, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regional inequality are threatening this expansion.

Saving free trade in the post-COVID world

The post-pandemic recovery offers an opportunity recalibrate existing policies to maintain the fruits of the last few decades of trade liberalisation while making its benefits more equitable across societies.

Free trade isn’t dead yet

Conflict over trade dominated the economic headlines in 2019, so it’s heartening that the year ended with significant progress on three trade agreements.

The enduring fight for free trade

The argument for free trade must continually be made to convince a skeptical public but new measures must also take account of changing circumstances to ensure Australia’s trade remains healthy into the future.