EU negotiations with Australia and New Zealand

Following the State of the Union speech by President Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission yesterday unveiled a package of trade and investment proposals for an ambitious trade agenda. The proposals include draft mandates to open trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. General objectives of both mandates include: promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth through the expansion of trade; creating job and labour opportunities and welfare gains; increasing benefits for consumers; improving Europe’s competitiveness in global markets; and strengthening cooperation on trade-related issues with a like-minded partner. Cecilia Malmström, European Trade Commissioner, added: “The world needs leaders in trade. The EU continues to champion free and fair trade, at the forefront of a group of like-minded countries. Today’s package of proposals shows this leadership in action. It also demonstrates our determination to develop EU trade policy in a way that’s as open and inclusive as possible.”

Australian Trade Minister Steve Ciobo, who spoke at Asia House last year, said that “an Australia-EU FTA has the potential to drive economic growth by opening up new export opportunities, enhancing investment flows, and removing trade barriers for businesses,” according to The Australian.