Overview

• Trade Minister Don Farrell met with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in Paris, agreeing to dispatch delegations to Brussels within days to scope out outstanding negotiation issues.
• President Donald Trump’s recent tariff hikes, including a 10% levy on Australian imports and 50% duties on steel and aluminium, have spurred urgency for new trade partnerships.
• Access for Australian beef and lamb remains the main hurdle, with Canberra pressing for meaningful export quotas while the EU seeks protections for geographic indications like feta and prosecco.
• Technical teams from both sides will compare notes on outstanding matters, with a potential visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Australia if talks progress.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to raise US tariffs directly with President Trump at the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, reinforcing Australia’s call for stable, rules-based trade.