Fed: Howard under pressure from drug companies: Latham=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2004
Fed: Howard under pressure from drug companies: Latham=2

US President GEORGE W BUSH has signed the FTA with Australia during a ceremony at the
White House, in Washington DC.

Mr BUSH has said the agreement is vital to the US economy and every American.

Mr LATHAM acknowledges the FTA will bring economic benefits to Australia and increase
the investment flow between the two countries.

However he says the social concerns surrounding local content and the PBS need to be
addressed by amendments to the FTA legislation.

Mr LATHAM'S also brushed off claims by Health Minister TONY ABBOTT that Labor's only
insisting on the amendments because of its anti-American hang-ups.

AAP RTV bt/jo

KEYWORD: TRADE US LATHAM 2 CANBERRA (REOPENS)

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