Australia ‘confident’ of EU trade deal after crunch talks
Trade Minister Don Farrell has returned from Brussels after talks were extended into an unplanned second day.
Australia and the European Union (EU) appear closer than ever to striking a major trade agreement, after Trade Minister Don Farrell returned from Europe “confident” a deal will be struck.
Capital Brief recently revealed the EU had contacted Canberra to revive stalled negotiations over a free trade agreement (FTA), which broke down in 2023. Farrell then skipped Senate estimates to jet for talks in Brussels last week, in a sign there was growing confidence that a deal could be struck.
The trip had initially pencilled-in a single day of talks but was extended into an unplanned second day.
“I’m pleased that we have made progress,” Farrell said on departure.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, any agreement must be in Australia’s national interest and provide real benefit for Australian business, producers, exporters and workers.”
