Australia Prioritizes EU Trade Deal for 450 Million Consumers as Membership Talk Emerges
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Sep 18
Australia Prioritizes EU Trade Deal for 450 Million Consumers as Membership Talk Emerges
3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Sep 18
Summary
Canberra said it is focused on finalising the EU-Australia trade deal, downplaying suggestions that Australia could pursue EU associate membership after Canada received an invitation.
The government cast the pact as a once-in-a-generation opening to 27 EU countries and 450 million consumers, arguing deeper trade ties make economic sense amid global uncertainty.
Anthony Albanese is due to meet Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa at the UN General Assembly on Monday, with Brussels describing the talks as a stocktaking exercise rather than membership discussions.
Ratification still faces resistance over farm quotas: the deal allows 30,600 tonnes of Australian beef and 25,000 tonnes of mutton and lamb annually, below the 50,000 tonnes sought by Australia and opposed by farmers on both sides.
The agreement was concluded in March after 2023 talks collapsed over agricultural access, while New Zealand separately said it has had no discussions with the EU about associate membership.