Governmental Affairs
Further progress towards the Australia-EU FTA By Dr Michael Zettinig, German-Australian Chamber
The negotiations for the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are progressing despite the COVID situation, and a conclusion towards the end of 2021 is likely. Nine rounds of formal negotiations for the Australia-EU FTA have now concluded, including the last three rounds via videoconference. The German-Australian Chamber continues to be a very active stakeholder, with regular exchanges and provision of input into the Australian side / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the European side, as well as including other partners such as the German Government and other European business chambers. The progress is overall good, and we think that a conclusion of the formal negotiations towards the end of calendar year 2021 is both possible and
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likely. We feel a strong commitment from all participating parties to conclude this important FTA this year. The FTA is recognised as important from both sides for a number of reasons. First of all there is strong strategic interest from both sides for a deeper economic relationship, increased trade, and investments from like-minded partners sharing the same values about rules-based trade and sustainable development – now even more so than when the formal negotiations started in the middle of 2018. Secondly, there is a very strong business case for this FTA, as was demonstrated by the impact study done for the European Union before the negotiations kicked off. This is also demonstrated by the many submissions received in support of the negotiations for a comprehensive FTA by many business organisations and individual companies. The German-Australian Chamber has made a number of formal submissions to both sides and the latest
