On Monday, Ambassador Kirk met with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. This marks Gillard’s first visit to Washington, D.C. as Prime Minister. The meeting provided the opportunity for Ambassador Kirk and Prime Minister Gillard to discuss trade issues of priority to both countries, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Agenda.
Ambassador Kirk and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard
On the TPP, Ambassador Kirk and Prime Minister Gillard discussed progress and their interest in maintaining the momentum on this important initiative. They look forward to significant progress during the upcoming negotiating round in Singapore later this month. They also agreed that the U.S. and Australia need to continue to consult closely in the months ahead on issues of particular interest to the two countries in order to be able to meet the objective of the TPP Leaders to conclude a high-standard, 21st-century trade agreement as swiftly as possible.
Ambassador Kirk and Prime Minister Gillard also discussed the WTO Doha Development Agenda. They agreed that the Agenda holds significant prospects for trade liberalization. Moreover, Ambassador Kirk and Prime Minister Gillard shared a sense of urgency that true end-game negotiations among leading WTO Members must begin immediately in order to meet the expectations of G20 Leaders. Ambassador Kirk applauded Australia's leadership in the Doha negotiations, particularly with regard to trade in services.
