The EU and Australia are close to a trade deal

The free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia is nearing completion, according to Bloomberg. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is due to visit Australia next week to meet the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, with negotiations potentially concluding during the trip.

The Commission said the visit, scheduled for 23 to 25 March, is aimed at strengthening ties with a ‘trusted partner’ in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region. Von der Leyen will be accompanied by the EU trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, who has pointed to progress and the prospects of a successful deal following recent talks with Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell.

Negotiations began in 2018 but stalled in 2023, largely because of disputes over quotas for meat imports into the European Union. Australia is seeking increased access for beef and lamb exports, while the EU is pushing for lower tariffs on industrial goods and improved access to critical raw materials. Bilateral trade in goods reached €47.2 billion in 2025.

(reuters, lud)