EU and Australia agree Security and Defence Partnership and free trade deal
Key Development
The EU and Australia adopted a Security and Defence Partnership and concluded negotiations on a balanced free trade agreement, while agreeing to launch formal talks on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe. The FTA text was agreed at a leaders' meeting in Canberra, and the SDP was signed virtually on 18 March 2026.
Why It Matters
The FTA removes over 99% of tariffs and is projected to increase EU exports by up to 33% over the next decade, with notable gains for dairy, motor vehicles and chemicals. The deal also secures access to critical raw materials, includes enforceable sustainability commitments and deepens security and defence cooperation across regions.
Next Step
Draft texts will be published and undergo internal EU procedures before the Commission proposes signature to the Council, after which European Parliament consent and Australia’s ratification are required for the agreement to enter into force.
Sources
Official Documents
- EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement EU and Australia adopt a Security and Defence Partnership and conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement. They will begin formal talks to associate Australia with Horizon Europe, signaling deeper security and trade ties.
Latest EU trade developments
-
EU and Australia agree FTA and Security and Defence Partnership
The EU and Australia adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement, and agreed to launch formal negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
Read more -
EU envoy briefs delegation after Canada mission
Joost Korte, EU Envoy for the EU–Canada partnership, briefed the European Parliament delegation after a two‑week mission to Canada and outlined priorities ahead of a tentative autumn 2026 summit.
Read more -
83rd TLD IPM in Washington urges de-escalation in trade tensions
MEPs and new US TLD leadership met in Washington for the 83rd Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue and agreed a Joint Statement calling for de-escalation in transatlantic trade tensions.
Read more
From the same institution
-
EU and Australia agree FTA and Security and Defence Partnership
The EU and Australia adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement, and agreed to launch formal negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
Read more -
Commission acts against dumped imports of phosphorous acid from China
EU importers of phosphorous acid from China face a 122.8% anti-dumping duty after the Commission adopted definitive measures, although the investigation concluded the duty will have little impact on EU importers or users.
Read more -
Colombia lifts anti-dumping duties on EU frozen fries
EU exporters of frozen fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands regain full market access after Colombia revoked anti-dumping duties, removing duties that had affected roughly 85% of EU frozen fries exports and around €19.3 million in annual trade; importers and compliance teams no longer face those duties.
Read more
Similar policy actions
-
EU and Australia agree FTA and Security and Defence Partnership
The EU and Australia adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement, and agreed to launch formal negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
Read more -
Colombia lifts anti-dumping duties on EU frozen fries
EU exporters of frozen fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands regain full market access after Colombia revoked anti-dumping duties, removing duties that had affected roughly 85% of EU frozen fries exports and around €19.3 million in annual trade; importers and compliance teams no longer face those duties.
Read more -
Driving shared prosperity: Boosting EU–Canada trade through CETA
EU and Canadian ministers co-chaired the fifth CETA Joint Committee, adopted measures to clarify investment rules and improve SME access to arbitration, and formally launched negotiations on an EU‑Canada Digital Trade Agreement.
Read more