The Wire

The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, is celebrating a landmark agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (or ASEAN) and New Zealand that will open our borders to free trade. Free trade, ideally, allows countries to export their products and services without the restrictions of trade barriers like tariffs. Simon Crean believes it will strengthen trade in the region and be a strong support during the economic crisis. But not everyone agrees with this approach. The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (or TCFUA) say the Government has turned it’s back on their industry.