In focus

Towards an EU-Australia Trade Agreement

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

The EU is Australia's second-biggest trade partner. Bilateral trade in goods between the two partners has risen steadily in recent years, reaching almost €48bn in 2017. Bilateral trade in services added an additional €27bn.

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

The trade negotiations aim at :

Removing barriers and helping EU firms – especially smaller ones – to export more

Putting 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

Ambitious provisions on trade and sustainable development, showing a shared commitment to labour rights and environmental protection (including climate change) in trade

Protecting distinctive regional EU food and drink products from imitations in Australia

Allowing 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.

Factsheet Launching trade negotiations with Australia Documents Impact assessments, draft mandates, factsheets