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Progress made resolving EU-Aust trade dispute

After two days of talks in Brussels, Trade Minister Don Farrell said ministers narrowed gaps on a small number of outstanding matters and expressed confidence in reaching an agreement.
Agriculture remains the central sticking point after years of negotiations beginning in 2018, with Farrell walking away two years ago over insufficient European offers on beef and lamb.
Australia is currently barred from shipping 3,389 tonnes of beef, while it initially pushed for more than 30,000 and seeks over 40,000 tonnes, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.
A deal would remove the 5 per cent tariff on many European cars, lowering prices for Australian households and expanding a trade relationship valued at about $110 billion, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen likely to visit to seal the pact.
Strategic aims to diversify ties beyond China underpin the talks, with the EU seeking critical minerals access and the Australian government negotiating labour mobility and defence links, as the deal nears signing during von der Leyen's coming weeks visit.

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