EU-Australia agreement

The European Union has launched negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement with Australia.

According to an impact assessment, trade in goods and services between the two partners could increase by around a third.

The trade negotiations aim to:

• Remove barriers and help EU firms – especially smaller ones – to export more
• Put European companies exporting to or doing business in Australia on an equal footing with those from countries that have signed up to the Trans-Pacific Partnership or other trade agreements with Australia
• Introduce ambitious provisions on trade and sustainable development, showing a shared commitment to labour rights and environmental protection (including climate change) in trade
• Protect distinctive regional EU food and drink products from imitations in Australia
• Allow EU companies to better participate in government procurement in Australia

The Council of the European Union authorised opening negotiations for a trade agreement between the EU and Australia on 22 May 2018.