European Union - Trade with Australia and New Zealand: negotiating directives made public

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The European Union (EU) has now released its scope for a Trade Agreement with Australia and New Zealand . This long anticipated list ' Mandates " provided by the European Commission , will be important for all three parties . Along with Australia and New Z'ealnd's place in the Asia Pacific Region. 

The EU population is over 510 million , Australia 24.7 million plus , New Zealand 4.7 million plus, the agreement represents an important step for Australia and NZ on top on agreements with USA , China ,  - but on this occasion Labour standards etc are higher from the EU end.

List of Australian FTAs  http://dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/Pages/trade-agreements.aspx 
List of New Zealand FTAs  https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-in-force/ 

We can of course expect some stand out issues such as motor vehicles, (Australia and New Zealand are no longer main stream production car manufactures) , Investments and Finance (with Australia's large industry pension/superannuation schemes) . Industrial and Trade Union Rights for Europeans are at higher standard, including Works Council, Social partners etc

Of particular interest is the mention of -
" The Agreement should ensure that all levels of government, including sub-central authorities and relevant entities, effectively comply with the provisions of the Agreement". page 2
" The Agreement should also contribute to the promotion of sustainable development and broader EU values, inter alia by including trade related provisions on labour and environment, including through corporate social responsibility, responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests, responsible agriculture investment and transparency." page 3
" . The Agreement should ensure that the parties should not encourage trade or foreign direct investment by lowering domestic environmental, labour or occupational health and safety legislation, and standards or by relaxing core labour standards or laws aimed at protecting and promoting cultural diversity". page 3.

Greg McLean

PRESS

Council of the European Union    25/6/2018 | PRESS RELEASE Trade with Australia and New Zealand: negotiating directives made public On 25 June, the Council decided to publish the mandates given to the Commission on 22 May to negotiate trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. Trade agreements with both countries would aim primarily at further reducing existing barriers to trade, removing custom duties on goods, and giving better access for services and public procurement in Australia and New Zealand. The sectors likely to benefit the most from the FTAs are motor equipment, machinery, chemicals, processed foods and services. The negotiating directives are particularly concerned to protect vulnerable sectors such as agriculture by maximising the benefits of market opening without harming local producers. The mandates do not envisage full liberalisation of trade in agricultural products, which are foreseen as benefiting from specific treatment. The mandates also provide for a comprehensive and modern framework, based on the highest standards of labour, safety, environment, climate and consumer protection. The Commission officially launched the trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, respectively on 18 and 21 June. A first round of talks is expected to take place in the course of July. Negotiating directives for FTA with Australia Negotiating directives for FTA with New Zealand Visit the website Press contacts Maria Tomasik +32 2 281 24 63 / +32 470 88 23 83