EU Commission head Von der Leyen to visit Australia as trade deal nears

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Australia later this month and meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, said the Commission on Wednesday, as both sides try to clinch a trade deal.

Both sides have recently signaled progress in trade negotiations, after previous talks between Australia and the EU collapsed in 2023 largely over disagreements on access to agricultural products.

The EU said in a statement that von der Leyen's visit would take place from March 23 to March 25 to "strengthen EU ties with a trusted, like-minded partner in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region."

Australia has been seeking greater quotas for lamb and beef exports to Europe, while the EU has pushed for improved access to Australia's critical minerals and lower tariffs on manufactured goods.

-Sudip Kar-Gupta/Reuters