Australia's negotiations for an agreement with Japan began under the
Howard government in 2007. In April 2014, Australia's Prime Minister
Tony Abbott led a trade delegation to Japan,
South Korea and
China. The three economies accounted for more than half of all of Australia's two-way trade. On the Japanese leg, Abbott was received by
Emperor Akihito and, secured the key elements of a free trade agreement with the government of
Shinzo Abe. A number of concessions were secured for Australian agricultural exporters, Australian tariffs on electronics, whitegoods and cars were to be lowered. Negotiations for the agreement began under the
Howard government in 2007. Abbott said, "This is the first time that Japan has negotiated a comprehensive economic partnership agreement or free trade agreement with a major economy, particularly a major economy with a strong agricultural sector." Australia's
Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The agreement will provide valuable preferential access for Australia's exports and is by far the most liberalising trade agreement Japan has ever concluded. Australia and Japan are natural partners with highly complementary economies. The agreement will bring our economies and societies even closer and underpin a strong relationship for many years to come." == After ==