State Estimates Early 2013 Effective Date for U.S.-Australia Defense Trade Treaty
The U.S.-Australia Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty should take effect in early 2013, said a State Department spokeswoman, after Australia passed implementing legislation in October. According to a State fact sheet, the treaty allows for the export of certain defense articles and services between the U.S. and Australia without the need for export licenses or other International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) approvals. It will also create an “Approved Community” of government and private sector entities that may export and transfer certain U.S. Munitions List items for pre-approved facilities in Australia and the U.S., State said. A similar treaty with the United Kingdom took effect in April.
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In 2011, U.S. military sales to Australia totaled nearly $4 billion, "making Australia one of our top defense trading partners," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Nov. 15 at Techport Australia. She said "that partnership just received a major boost" from the military trade treaty.
"Australia is also a growing market for growing exports even as we welcome more trade from you," Clinton said. She said U.S. exports to Australia jumped more than 40 percent between 2009 and 2011, to more than $27 billion, "and in the first nine months of this year, they're up another 20 percent."-- BF
Secretary Clinton's remarks on the treaty available here.