Aust, US sign off on defence trade treaty Australia's new treaty with the US will make it easy for companies to acquire US defence technology. IT'S taken six years for Australia and the United States to seal a treaty to make it easier for local defence companies to acquire advanced US technology. Defence Minister Stephen Smith and US ambassador Jeffrey Bleich on Thursday formally exchanged diplomatic notes bringing the Australia-US Defence Trade Treaty into effect. Former prime minister John Howard kicked off the process during the visit to Australia of then US president George W Bush in 2007. "Australia will be only the second country following the UK which has such a trade treaty with the US," Mr Smith told reporters in Canberra. Mr Bleich said the treaty reflected the deep trust between Australia and the US. "This is a very significant action by both of our countries," he said. The US has traditionally imposed tight controls on export of its defence equipment, particularly advanced technology, even to close allies. Previously, Australian defence companies had to negotiate complex US defence export procedures and apply on every single occasion for approval to collaborate and export. But under the new regime, companies can obtain a global authorisation. "It's a very streamlined and much more efficient process and will allow us to work together far more quickly with less red tape," Mr Bleich said. Mr Smith said the length of time it took to get the final agreement was a reflection of the treaty process. "In some respects ... the easiest thing in the world is the general agreement," he said. We then had to get legislation through the congress and through our own parliament. It has been well worth the effort.