Progress made resolving EU-Aust trade dispute
It was stated that the European Union and Australia, whose plans for a comprehensive free trade agreement have been suspended since 2023 due to disputes regarding certain sectors such as agriculture, have made progress in resolving the areas of disagreement.
“Good progress has been made in narrowing the gaps on a small number of key issues. Principals will now report to their leaders,” European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Australian Trade Commissioner Don Farrell said in a joint statement on Friday.
An earlier attempt to reach a trade deal failed in 2023; Australia wants greater access to lamb and beef exports to Europe, while the EU wants greater access to Australia’s critical minerals and lower tariffs on processed goods.
Senator Farrell met with EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic and agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen.
“As I have said clearly and consistently, any agreement must be in Australia’s interest and include commercially meaningful new market access for Australian agriculture,” Senator Farrell said in a statement before departing on Wednesday.
“I don’t make bad deals.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is expected to arrive in Australia in the coming weeks, increasing pressure to have the agreement ready to be signed during her trip.
It is hoped that the meeting of trade ministers will pave the way for the signing of the agreement.
The EU wants to compete more strongly with the US and China and signed a trade deal with India last month.
from AAP
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