International Trade Services

International Trade Services

Trade in Australia

Trade in AustraliaTrade in Australia is governed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was formed in 1987, and has two ministers, one for Foreign Affairs and one for Trade. The current Trade Minister is Craig Emerson. 



The headquarters for the Department are currently in Barton, near the Parliament House. Though the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is relatively young, it has made several steps forward in progress in regard to the country’s international trade relationships with the rest of the world. 

An example is the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, which is modeled after the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Agreement would be signed in 2004, and would be enforced on January 1st, 2005.


This agreement is considered to be a preferential agreement, which is bound to have a positive impact for Australia’s overall economy. Among the various products that are exported from Australia into the United States are tobacco, cotton, textiles, peanuts, beef, avocados, and dairy products. 

Before the agreement was signed, there were concerns that the Australian farmers would oppose the FTA. However, because of certain time limits imposed on certain products, such as sugar cane and beef, this would generally not be an overwhelming concern to Americans. 


However, even though the FTA has proven to have some benefits, a major concern that has been debated is the fact that is was modeled after the NAFTA, which has been known to cause certain problems, particularly involving trade and labor unions. 


Trade in China

Trade in China
Trade in China is one of the trade markets that has greatly impacted the global trade since the 1970s, when China would eventually be able to explore more international economic ventures. Furthermore, it would be during the 1970s that China would make efforts to modernize its economy, exploring China trading not only on the domestic level, but more so on the international level. 


Certain changes that came about as the result of the founding of the People’s Republic in China in 1949, particularly in regards to the economy, trade in China would be allowed to explore the free trade market, both on the domestic and foreign fronts. 

In regards to international trade, one of the biggest partners that is involved in China trading is the United States. The international market trade in China has proven to be increasing at dramatic rates, particularly since the 1970s. This is evident especially in the United States, with so many products bearing the “made in China” label. However, it is important to note that China trading with the United States usually involves the United States importing. 


Trade in China in regards to importing goods is not as popular or implemented when compared to the amount that China exports. For this reason, there are almost no trade barriers between the United States and China, particularly in regards to non-agricultural products. 




Quick Facts about International Trade Services

Quick Facts about International Trade Services
Global trade plays a fundamental role in the overall economy of the many countries of the world. Global trade or international trade has been a staple in the history of mankind ever since transportation was developed. This is exhibited by ancient civilizations such as the Ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians. 


Most of the trade was done by traveling by way of sea, though land trade was also common. Today, global trade remains largely done by way of maritime traveling, with international trade services acting as the carriers transporting goods across seas and oceans. 

International trade services are any particular company or business that engages in the transportation of goods or merchandise to foreign countries. Even though international trade services will engage all methods of travel, land, air, and sea, the most commonly used is maritime trade.



In the United States, some of the major international trade services are American President Lines, Matson Navigation Company, Horizon Lines, and Star Shipping. Of these, only Matson Navigation Company and Horizon Lines are owned by the United States. Matson is located in Oakland, California, and has been providing international trade services since 1882.


Its major competitor will prove to be Horizon Lines, particularly in the domestic market.  In North America, other international trade services are Transportation Maritima Mexicana of Mexico and Asia Pacific Marine Container Lines. All of these companies offer both domestic trade and global trade services to those involved in the international trade industry.