Von der Leyen to visit Australia for trade talks
Von der Leyen visits Australia next week to meet Prime Minister Albanese. They aim to finalize a trade deal after previous talks stalled over agriculture.
The European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to travel to Australia later this month for high-level meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The visit, confirmed by the Commission on Wednesday, signals a renewed push to finalize a long-awaited trade agreement between the two powers.
The upcoming diplomatic mission, slated for March 23 to March 25, follows a period of stalled negotiations. Previous attempts to secure a deal collapsed in 2023, primarily due to significant friction regarding market access for agricultural products. Both sides have recently indicated that progress is being made to resolve these outstanding issues.
According to an official statement from the Commission, the trip is intended to bolster international cooperation in a critical geographic area.
The visit aims to strengthen ties with a trusted, like-minded partner in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.
The core of the negotiations involves a complex exchange of market concessions. Australia has consistently advocated for increased export quotas for its lamb and beef industries. Conversely, European negotiators are prioritizing secured access to Australia's vast reserves of critical minerals while seeking a reduction in tariffs on manufactured goods exported to the Australian market.
