Von der Leyen aims at beef deal in push for EU-Australia trade pact

A deal on an EU-Australia trade pact could be within reach as soon as next week, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen heads to Canberra for talks.

The Commission confirmed on Wednesday that von der Leyen will travel to Australia on 23 and 25 March in a final push to seal a trade agreement that’s been under negotiation since 2018.

The EU is also eyeing a security and defence partnership with Canberra, which is already concluded, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said last week.

Von der Leyen will visit Sydney and Canberra and meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the capital, where the final details of the trade deal are expected to be hammered out.

A statement from Albanese’s office confirmed the visit, adding that EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič will participate too.

“The relationship between Australia and the European Union is built on a shared commitment to democratic values and a likeminded approach to security and trade,” reads the Australian…