German Chancellor Freidrich Merz asks Anthony Albanese whether he can help speed up Australia-EU free trade agreement
After Anthony Albanese's G7 run was
upended by Donald Trump's swift exit
, a new trade deal with the European Union could bolster Australia's international trade presence.
The Prime Minister's window to negotiate a tariff exemption with US President Donald Trump - who returned to the US to contend with escalating attacks between Israel and Iran - but Australia could expand its international trade presence through a free trade agreement with the EU.
While Mr Albanese has already dashed hopes of a deal being struck when he holds a trilateral meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, Ms Von der Leyen's expected Australian visit is likely to provide another avenue to progress talks.
German Chancellor Freidrich Merz has now indicated a desire to secure a deal as quickly as possible during his bilateral with Mr Albanese overnight on Wednesday (AEST).
During brief remarks prior to their meeting, Mr Albanese thanked Mr Merz for his support of Australia securing a free trade agreement with the European Union, to which the German leader interjected and said: 'Is there anything what we can do, what I can do to speed it up a little bit'.
Mr Albanese said in response: 'We're very keen on getting it done very quickly'.
Negotiations on a potential deal began in 2018, but broke down in 2023 over EU geographic indicator rules that would prevent Australian producers from selling products using names linked to a specific area.
It would mean items such as prosecco, feta and parmesan would need to be sold using generic names in Europe.
Low export quantities on things like lamb, beef, and sugar would also make the deal less viable for Australian farmers.
Speaking about the agreement on Monday (AEST), Mr Albanese said he would 'only sign up to an agreement that is in Australia's national interest'.
'I think that the fact that during the last term we had negotiations and then we walked away is important, because what that does is confirm that we are prepared to walk away,' he said.
'And if you're trying to advance your national interest, then you need to be serious about that and show that you are. And so, whether it's this or any other agreement for that matter, my job is to represent Australia's national interest. We will do that.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
23 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Curfew lifted in LA as Trump battles for control of California troops
Calm appeared to be returning to protest-hit Los Angeles on Tuesday as the mayor lifted a nighttime curfew, while President Donald Trump battled to keep control of California troops he deployed to the city. A fraction of the sprawling US city had been off-limits from 8pm to 6am to most people for a week after instances of looting and vandalism during demonstrations against Trump's immigration raids. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the curfew had been "largely successful in protecting stores, restaurants, businesses and residential communities from bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community." However, she added that, "as we continue quickly adapting to chaos coming from Washington," she was prepared to reissue a curfew if needed. Bass and other California officials have accused Trump of inflaming tensions by sending 4,000 of the state's National Guard troops -- as well as 700 Marines -- to the second-largest US city. In a show of political muscle, Trump ignored the objections of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who would usually oversee the Guard. A judge said Thursday that the Republican president's actions were "illegal" and ordered that he return control of the force to Newsom. But a higher court paused that ruling after the Trump administration lodged an appeal and slammed the judge's order as an "extraordinary intrusion on the President's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief." - 'Extreme measure' - At an appeals hearing Tuesday, the Justice Department argued that Trump needed to keep control of California's troops to ensure federal immigration officers could carry out arrests without threats from the public. "Unfortunately, local authorities are either unable or unwilling to protect federal personnel and property from the mob violence ongoing in Los Angeles today," said Brett Shumate, representing the Trump administration. California officials have rejected that charge, insisting that Trump's use of the military has escalated demonstrations that Los Angeles that law enforcement could have handled. Samuel Harbourt, representing Newsom and California, pointed out that local authorities in Los Angeles have made around 1,000 arrests during the disorder. "Are we in a world that's so different from normal conditions as to justify an extreme measure like militarizing the situation and bringing in the National Guard?" he said. Harbourt urged the San Francisco court to lift the pause on the original order, meaning Trump would have to concede control of the Guard. "Every day that this order remains in effect it is causing harm for our nation's broader democratic tradition of separation of the military from civilian affairs," he said. That, he added, "sets a precedent for this president, and future presidents, to take similar actions going forward." - 'Totally lost control' - The fatigue-wearing guardsmen have been tasked with protecting federal property in Los Angeles, stationed outside buildings with helmets and large shields. US law restricts them from arresting citizens, though some guardsmen have fired tear gas and non-lethal rounds towards protesters, according to local media. It is the first time since 1965 that a US president has deployed the National Guard without the express wishes of a state's governor. Trump has been unrepentant, taking credit for making Los Angeles "safe" and declaring that Newsom -- a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 -- had "totally lost control." The dispute mirrors multiple other tussles over Trump's attempts to expand the limits of presidential power, but is the first to involve troops. Like other cases, it could go all the way to the Supreme Court, where conservative judges hold a 6-3 majority. Many in Los Angeles are angry about immigration raids carried out as part of Trump's ambition to deport vast numbers of undocumented migrants around the country. Outrage at the use of masked, armed immigration agents has also sparked protests in other cities, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas.
West Australian
23 minutes ago
- West Australian
US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel, closed: Services in Tel Aviv unavailable as Middle East war fears grow
The US Embassy in Israel has told its government staff to 'shelter in place', closing down Jerusalem and Tel Aviv services due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. 'As a result of the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the US Embassy has directed that all US government employees and their family members continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice,' the Embassy said in a statement. 'Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the US Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20). 'This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. There will be no passport (emergency or regular) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad services.' The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump met with national security advisers in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday after returning from the G7 summit early. Both US and Israeli media have also reported that Mr Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the Situation Room meeting. The US Embassy said it had 'no announcements' on assisting private US citizens in Israel. The main airport in Israel, Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, is closed. The advice from the US Government, which echoed advice from the Chinese Embassy in Israel a day prior, was to head towards Jordan land crossings The Australian Government updated it's advice for Israel to 'do not travel' on June 15. Like other governments, no plans to rescue stranded citizens have been announced. Mr Trump on Tuesday demanded Iran 'surrender' as more missiles were fired. Following his demand, Iran's Supreme Leader issued a chilling messaging, saying: 'the battle begins'.
News.com.au
24 minutes ago
- News.com.au
High Court upholds CFMEU administration in major win for Labor
The CFMEU has lost its High Court bid to overturn the federal administration of its construction arm in a major win for Labor. The Albanese government forced the construction arm into administration after revelations of endemic corruption and links to criminal gangs. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth on Wednesday welcomed the court's decision. 'This government will not tolerate criminal behaviour, corruption or violence in the construction industry,' Ms Rishworth said in a statement. 'We need to focus on shifting the culture in the construction industry and ensure the bad actors we have seen infiltrating this sector are kept out. 'Construction workers deserve a union free from criminality, corruption and violence.' She said the government-appointed administrator could 'now move forward with confidence and continue their essential work in cleaning up the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU'. 'We are committed to the administrator remaining in place until the job is done, and we will continue to provide him and his team with all necessary support as they undertake their challenging and crucial task,' Ms Rishworth said. Meanwhile, the man tasked with cleaning up the embattled union said the decision gave 'clarity and it paves the way for the greater systemic reforms necessary for the union and across the industry'. 'Along with the CFMEU, employers, regulators and governments all have a role to play in rooting out malignant and violent actors from the construction sector,' Mark Irvine said. 'The administration is committed to returning the union to the membership as a strong democratic, member-controlled union, enduringly free of corruption and criminal influence as soon as possible.'
