Australia is aiming to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement with the EU in the first half of next year, the country’s trade minister Don Farrell said on Wednesday (6 December). Speaking to reporters Brussels as part of a whistlestop tour of Europe, Farrell said that although Canberra is …
Australia & New Zealand
Perspectives: Can the EU really finalise deals with Australia and Mercosur?
The recent Brazilian election has renewed hopes that the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement can be ratified in the next twelve months. EU negotiators hope to complete free trade agreement negotiations with Australia within the same timeframe. Rising protectionism within the EU may however dash those hopes.
EU Australia trade agreement talks: still a year to go?
The EU and Australia are making solid progress in their protracted negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement. But close observers believe it could still be another twelve months before the deal will be tied up.
New Zealand: EU and UK FTAs herald healthy new competition for good deals
Both the United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed free trade agreements with New Zealand this year. While there are many differences in text – some particularly striking such as in agriculture market access – these shouldn’t be exaggerated. The UK and EU competing for trade agreements might even …
ANALYSIS – EU New Zealand: goods, services, procurement, investment, digital
This article looks into the market access and business rule dimension of the EU New Zealand free trade agreement – except subsidies, SOEs, competition and intellectual property, which will receive separate attention. The analysis is provided by Chris Horseman and Iana Dreyer based on the draft treaty text recently published …
ANALYSIS – EU-New Zealand FTA: sustainable development novelties
This article introduces the ‘sustainable development’ aspects within the recently concluded EU New Zealand FTA. The analysis is based on the draft text of the treaty published very recently by the European Commission. By Rob Francis, with a little bit of extra input from Iana Dreyer.
Strong sustainability focus in new EU-New Zealand FTA
This article was written with input from Rob Francis. After four years of intensive negotiations, the EU and New Zealand have reached agreement on a comprehensive new bilateral free trade agreement.
Week in Brussels: Davos, France-Australia, Council transparency slip, citrus pest
It’s been a comparatively quiet week on the trade policy front in Europe – given the Ascension extended holiday. But there were some notable developments. By Iana Dreyer and Rob Francis.
New Zealand gains from new post-Brexit TRQ reallocation
New Zealand has agreed to reallocate part of its share of its World Trade Organization bound tariff rate quotas for sheepmeat and beef from the UK to the EU27 – albeit in the knowledge that it will soon have duty-free access to the British market in any case.
EU New Zealand free trade negotiations move closer to end-game
The European Union and New Zealand are moving towards the final stages of their bilateral free trade negotiations, with both sides now committed to completing the deal as soon as possible, according to New Zealand’s chief negotiator Vangelis Vitalis. But a range of difficult issues still need to be overcome, …