Albanese 'up for a deal' with EU on trade
The news: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia was “up for a deal but not any deal at any price,” ahead of meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration in Rome.
The context: Speaking to reporters in Rome ahead of the inauguration, Albanese said the government is interested in a deal that is in Australia’s national interest. “The last time around, we weren’t able to achieve breakthroughs on agriculture.”
In 2023 Australia walked away from talks on a EU trade deal after saying no to proposed restrictions on agricultural products including sugar, dairy, beef and the use of terms including prosecco and feta. Last month the SMH reported that the EU is potentially open to compromise on the continued use of such product names
“The world understands that free and fair trade and global markets can’t be taken for granted,” Albanese said on Sunday, acknowledging the strategic value of an agreement with the EU against the background of global trade instability.
“There has been disruption, and we’ve seen that as a result of the decision of the Trump administration. And that threatens global growth, and will have an impact far greater, it must be said, than any potential impact of any particular tariffs on Australia.”
The Prime Minister did not address easing a luxury car tax on European vehicles which face a 5% levy in Australia.
Former foreign minister for Australia, Alexander Downer, told the AFR that Albanese should use the Rome trip to push a free trade deal, but was skeptical about the likelihood of the EU agreeing to Australia's terms. “The EU is highly protectionist when it comes to agriculture, and countries like France and Ireland, you would never budge them on the issue regardless of what the European Commission wants,” Downer told the AFR.
