This week the Minister for Trade, Don Farrell, is headed for Europe where he will visit Paris, Brussels, and Berlin to advocate for the conclusion of important negotiations for an ambitious and comprehensive Australia-European Union (EU) trade agreement.
His visit will also signal the Australian Government’s support to our partners in Europe as they face challenges associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Australia-EU trade agreement is one of the government’s highest trade policy priorities. When concluded, the deal will help diversify our trade relationships, expand opportunities for Australian exporters, and support greater investment in Australia.
Mr Farrell will also meet with ministerial counterparts to discuss how Australia can support Europe’s energy transition, including through the development of critical minerals and green hydrogen supply chains.
In Bern, he will open the new Australian Embassy to Switzerland – a significant milestone in our bilateral relationship with Switzerland. The Embassy will work to deepen cooperation on multilateral, foreign policy, security and consular issues; and to expand our trade and investment ties.
In London, the Minister will advance the Australia-UK free trade agreement, highlighting that Australia has completed all domestic requirements to implement the agreement, and encourage the UK to finalise remaining steps to ensure it enters into force early next year.
Throughout the visit he will engage with business groups and prospective investors to highlight the benefits of investing in Australia, as well as promoting Australia as a destination of choice for our tourism industry.
In associated news, six federal politicians from both Labor and the Coalition travelled to Taiwan last week, in the first visit from an Australian parliamentary delegation in years. The trip was organised by Liberal MP Scott Buchholz and also included former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, and Labor MPs Meryl Swanson and Libby Coker.
Members of the delegation said it is important Australia maintains a close relationship with both mainland China and Taiwan, and be supportive of democracy in the region. Taiwan was Australia’s 12th largest trading partner in 2020, worth $16.1 billion. Major goods exports were coal, iron ore, natural gas, aluminium and copper. Australia remains an important exporter of agricultural goods/food products and forestry products to Taiwan.
A bipartisan group of politicians will also head to the Pacific Islands this week. Penny Wong and Pat Conroy will be joined by coalition members Simon Birmingham and Michael McCormack. They will meet Vanuatu’s PM Ishmael Kalsakau, Palau’s President David Panuelo and the President of Federated States of Micronesia, Surangel Whipps Jr.
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