Australia and EU Enter Final Stretch of Long-Running Trade Talks

Australia's trade minister Don Farrell will meet EU trade and agriculture commissioners in Brussels as both sides aim to conclude long-standing negotiations; beef and other agricultural market access remain key sticking points.

Australia's trade minister Don Farrell is travelling to Brussels for formal talks with European Union counterparts as both sides seek to bring long-running negotiations to a close. Don Farrell will meet EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic and EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen. The talks stalled in 2023 when Australia walked away from a near-final deal over a disputed duty-free beef quota. Agriculture, including beef access, remains a central issue, alongside questions about Australia's luxury car import tax and use of European geographic food names. The broader context includes moves by both sides to strengthen ties amid U.S. tariff actions and China's restrictions on some critical mineral supplies. Key details: - Don Farrell is meeting EU Commissioners Maros Sefcovic and Christophe Hansen in Brussels for formal negotiations. - Farrell said Australia is ready to do a deal but that any agreement must include new, commercially meaningful market access for Australian agriculture. - Talks previously broke down in 2023 over the level of a duty-free beef quota. - Outstanding issues include beef and other agricultural access, Australia's tax on imported luxury cars, and use of European geographically specific food names. - Officials are negotiating against a backdrop of U.S. tariffs and recent Chinese restrictions on critical minerals, while the EU has recently advanced other trade accords. Summary: If the talks conclude, the agreement would affect market access for Australian agricultural exports and formalise economic ties between Australia and the EU. The next scheduled step is the formal meeting in Brussels between Australia’s trade minister and EU trade and agriculture commissioners; the outcome of those talks is undetermined at this time.