An Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) is a preferential trade agreement between Australia and the United States of America modeled on the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Negotiations on the AUSFTA were finalized in February 2004 after 11 months of negotiations. The final text of the AUSFTA was signed by Australia's Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, and the US Trade Representative, Robert Zoellick, in WashingtonDC on 18 May, 2004, and it entered into force on 1st January 2005.
 
The AUSFTA is the most significant bilateral trade agreement in Australia’s history and provides a unique opening to the American economy for Australian agricultural producers. The Agreement will immediately extend Australia's trade relationship with the world's largest merchandise and services exporter and importer. It will deliver real benefits and opportunities for Australian exporters from the day it comes into force, and the dynamic gains from the Agreement promise to yield enormous long-term benefits to the Australian economy.
 
Mr. Hugh Morgan AC, President, the Business Council of Australia said the agreement “will provide massive opportunities for Australian companies of all sizes to gain access to the world's largest market.” And the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry described The AUSFTA as “a high quality agreement which benefits the whole Australian economy, including the manufacturing, services, agricultural, mining and investment sectors”, and which “will give Australian business substantial

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