European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech during the opening plenary session at the IAEA Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, France, 10 March 2026;
Credit: Reuters/Abdul Saboor/Pool
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - On Wednesday 18 March 2026, the European Commission announced that President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Australia next week to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, when the two sides are likely to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement.
Both sides have signalled progress after previous talks between Australia and the EU collapsed in 2023, mainly over the size of meat import quotas into the European Union.
The European Commission, the EU executive body, said in a statement that von der Leyen's visit from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 March 2026 was intended to "strengthen EU ties with a trusted, like-minded partner in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region."
Australia said Albanese would meet von der Leyen, who will be accompanied by EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic, in Canberra on Tuesday 24 March 2026 on her first trip to the country as European Commission president.
Australia has been seeking greater quotas for lamb and beef exports to Europe. The EU has pushed for lower tariffs on manufactured goods, particularly cars, and improved access to Australia's critical minerals to reduce reliance on China. The two sides launched negotiations in 2018.
Total goods trade between the EU and Australia was €47.2 billion in 2025, with the EU having a surplus of €26.5 billion. For services, trade totalled €38.1 billion in 2023, with the EU also enjoying a surplus of €17.9 billion.
