European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a long-awaited free trade deal on Tuesday, aiming to boost exports amid global trade uncertainty.
The accord reflects efforts by both sides to diversify supply chains and address energy vulnerabilities linked to the Middle East conflict. The two sides also inked an agreement to step up defense cooperation as well as critical raw materials.
“The EU and Australia may be geographically far apart but we couldn’t be closer in terms of how we see the world,” Von der Leyen said.
“We are sending a strong signal to the rest of the world that friendship and cooperation is what matters most in times of turbulence,” she added.
Albanese remarked, “This is a significant moment for our nation as we secure an agreement with the world’s second largest economy.”
