United States is fighting battles on all fronts these days. The war on terror, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the recent visit by Dr Condoleeza Rice are fresh in the minds of Malaysians.

The other battle however is being fought on home ground and scrutinised by the public. It is the ongoing bilateral free trade agreement negotiations that are being waged by Washington. Armed with the Trade Promotion Authority Act that expires on July 1, 2007, we are now besieged by experienced and skilled warrior negotiators from the US as they begin their task of cementing 'An FTA For The Future' as stated by Ambassador Christopher J LaFleur.