Overview
- Ursula von der Leyen will be in Australia from March 23 to 25, meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on March 24 with Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič attending.
- EU and Australian officials say the negotiations are in the final stretch, with an outcome expected early next week.
- Key unresolved issues include market access for Australian beef and lamb, EU protections for specialty foods, provisions on critical minerals, and Australia’s luxury car tax.
- A separate Security and Defense Partnership has been finalized, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expected to handle the signing on a separate timetable.
- Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell estimates the current offer could add about $10 billion in trade in the first year.