Albanese government refuses to budge on European trade deal despite Coalition
A major EU trade deal gives Australian exporters duty-free access to 97.8 per cent of EU markets.
The Albanese government has signed a major trade agreement with the European Union. The government refuses to compromise on its terms despite Coalition and Nationals opposition.
The eight-year negotiation allows 97.8 per cent of Australian goods to enter the EU duty-free. Access will rise to 98 per cent after seven years.
Australia projects the deal will add up to 10 billion dollars annually to the economy by 2030. The agreement eliminates tariffs on wine, nuts, fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil, most dairy products, wheat and barley and seafood.
This directly benefits farmers. The Coalition opposes the deal because it says it doesn't provide sufficient market access for farmers.
It also includes strict climate-change commitments. Trade Minister Don Farrell says the government won't compromise.
He calls free trade vital to Australia's future prosperity. The Coalition can only block the agreement if the Greens support it.
- 97.8 per cent of goods
- Duty-free access now
- 98 per cent
- Duty-free access after 7 years
- Up to 10 billion dollars
- Projected annual benefit by 2030
- Don Farrell
- Trade Minister
Why it mattersIf the deal fails, Australia loses a negotiated market worth billions in trade opportunities and years of diplomatic work.
AustraliaThe deal would cut tariffs on Australian farm exports and give them better access to European markets, but only if political opposition doesn't derail it.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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