Free trade negotiations between the European Union and Australia will resume, kickstarted by Trump tariffs announced earlier this month and the need to make alliances that offer free trade opportunities.

Australian trade minister Don Farrell was due to meet with European Union Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic last week to restart FTA talks. Farrell said the EU needed to make genuine concessions to secure a free trade deal after FTA negotiations collapsed in 2023. The talks stalled over disagreements over access for Australian sheep, beef, dairy and sugar exports as well as luxury car tax and application of geographical indicators.

Farrell is confident an agreement can be made, saying the world has changed significantly since negotiations broke down 18 months ago.