The US President Mr George W. Bush said today he believed the US and Australia could complete a free trade pact by year's end for submission in 2004 to the US Congress for approval.
"I'm firmly committed to an FTA (free trade agreement,)" Mr Bush said during a joint press conference with visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard, adding he was "trying to get this thing done by the end of the year."
"I believe we can get it done," Bush added.
AFP