The fundamental purpose of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is to extend the commitments that members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have made in that multilateral forum. FTAs also frequently include commitments in areas that are outside the WTO obligations. Protection of traditional...

This chapter discusses the several reasons why relations between New Zealand and Australia have not become closer notwithstanding the Closer Economic Relationship (CER) Agreement between the countries. The authors suggest that the experience of CER offers a salutary tale on the limits of 'old...