NationStates Jolt Archive

ooc: The meeting, conference, etc for this trade deal will occur in Sydney. Here we will discuss and/or add certain points if necessary, RP bit and finalise the deal and make it official. For a bit of extra story go here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11675271&postcount=5)

Pacific Trade Deal - 1906/07

Aim: To promote extra avenues of trade and prosperty across the Pacific.

Formation Partners:
- The Dominion of Australia
- The Republic of Brazil
- The Russian Empire
- The United States of America

Terms:
- Australia will provide 5 units of food to Russia in exchange for one oil. (requirement met: food for russia/oil for Australia)
- Australia will provide 5 units of food to the US for one unit of coal. (requirement met: coal for Australia)
- Brazil will provide 5 units of food to Russia in exchange for one oil. (requirement met: food for Russia/oil for Brazil)
- Brazil will provide 5 units of food to the US for one unit of coal. (requirement met: coal for Brazil)

*The hotel staff rushed back and forth as they prepared for the arrival of the foreign dignitaries due to arrive soon. The hotel didn't get very many foreign visitors often, so the manager was doing his uttermost to make certain all would run smoothly.*

*The day was due to start with a quiet luncheon, followed by a casual lounge in the hotel's smoke room where the manager had stocked with the finest europian port and english sherry. After, when the dignitaries left for whatever reason they were here for, much effort would be put into preparing the four course meal that would greet then upon there return.*

*Much rided on this day...*

Upon hearing of the Proposed Trade deal, the Royal Foreign Ministry feverishly prepares a report and sends it to Sydney, and informs the Ambassador there to attend the meeting.

Many at home are furious a the Australians for breeching the boundries of Dominion status. However, several others are intrigued at the attempts to help spread goodwill for the Empire.

A team of Russian diplomats, hurried by rail to Vladivistok and thence to Sydney by steamer, arrives under the watchful eye of a Russian army Captain. The team is headed by diplomat Sergei Sazonov. They chat amongst themselves in Russian, admiring the hotel and the lavish spread in the dining room, waiting for other diplomats to arrive.

The American delegation, composed of relatively high ranked officials from the departments of State and Treasury arrive in Sydney. As the most prominent US officials to ever visit Australia, they spend sometime seeing the sights before settling in with the other delegates.

Vice-President Nilo Pecanha, a few prominent landowners, and some translators arrive at the delegation a little later than the rest. Although the men are dying to see live kangaroos and other Australian oddities, they put business first and await the beginning of the delegation.

OOC: Ironically, Brazil doesn't border the Pacific Ocean and Brazilian traders will never have to leave the Atlantic for the Pacific Trade Deal.

ooc: Well, it was either that or something guardose like "The Four Corners of the World Deal" or "Four Continents Trade Deal"... *shrugs*

*Jim Stevens and Bill Thorton were having an absolute ball as they made they're way around the lavish (be it small) hotel lobby meeting and greeting the assembled guests. Mark Haragan on the other hand wasn't. As he went around with the two main instigators, shaking hands and exchanging plesantries, in his mind he keep asking himself why he had agreed to come along. Crowds and formal gatherings after all weren't really his thing - that's why he was the Treasurer.*

*The Treasurer, the trade minister and 'Australia's chief diplomat' weren't the only prominant figures present. Looking across the room, Mark noted a number of parliament members from both sides of the floor hanging about as well as a number of staff members who were probably only here for the complementary liquor. Out of the corner of his eye he even spotted Prime Minister Alfred Deakin in the middle of a deep discussion with one of the American officials. Then he spotted someone he didn't expect to see - the British Ambassador.*

*Coming straight for him.*

"Aww sh.t Bill, look who it is."

"Huh? Oh... don't suppose he's here to congratulate us on behalf of the empire eh?"

"Judging by the man's face... I doubt it."

"Bugger."

*Mark readied himself for a confrontation, but was saved from the impending unpleasantness when almost out of no where the Australian PM sprung himself upon the english ambassador and started peppering him with enthusisatic questions. Not about to blow off the leader of the dominion, the ambassador turned to receive the PM. Mark let out a sigh of relief.*

"May I suggest we lay low until the meeting gets under way?"

"...agreed."

-------------------------------

Early next morning...

*After the night of pleasantries, each of the delegations were shown to their rooms and given the option to retire in readiness for the big day tommorrow. Some choose to do this immediately. Others waited a bit longer... and consequentally awoke with a headache the next morning.*

*To start the day, a lavish serving of breakfast was in order. The early meal was done in a very english style, involving eggs, toasted bread and cold pork pies mixed with an assortment of fresh fruits and nuts. Delegates were also given a choice of tea, coffee or wine to go with their meal although some just opted for water.

*After breakfast, the real business of the day began. Everyone was transported to the old colonial state building and ushered into the fair-sized conference room normally used by the state parliament (ooc: the parliament isn't due to meet in case you are wondering). As everyone took their seats, manservants again went around offering beverages as they handed out copies of the proposed trade agreement. Due to a minor lack of foresight however, each copy was in english. Jim made certain to go around and ensure the russian and brazillian officials that translations were in the process of being provided.*

*Once everyone was settled in the trade minister walked up to the main podium to begin his speech.*

"Greetings gentlemen, and welcome to Australia. On behalf of the Australian government, I would like to thank you all for coming down here to discuss this momentous piece of trade legislation. I hope your respective journeys to our distant land were most comfortable."

"So... lets get started shall we? Section one, article one..."

ooc: Hands up all those who guessed I know little to nothing about the political process.

ooc: Ok, let's wrap this up. Begin trading in 1909 agreed?

Britain informs Australia that as much as it Australia wishes it were still so, Australia is not an independant state and is subject to the deliberations of the Crown. Thus, the Foreign Office denies the functionality of this trade agreement under the insubordination of Australia, and reminds them that no agreements will be allowed unless London is specifically informed beforehand.

British Diplomats also request that the other involved nations turn down the agreement at home.

Crossposted from US Thread:

...In related news the Pacific Trade Deal treaty is brought before the Senate and surprisingly stalls before it can be brought to a serious vote. Debate on the subject seems to take the line that the United States is too involved in keeping neighbors pacified to seriously consider such a wide-ranging deal to the four corners of the globe. Roosevelt, knowing a battle not worth fighting when he sees one, decides to save his political capital for an announcement he is planning in the next few months. Australia is assured that Washington does indeed desire closer ties, but that perhaps there are other, less far reaching schemes that could be considered.