Von der Leyen's Australia Trip: Trade & Security Pact

0:00From Adelaide, this is your March 18th update. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen is heading to Australia for a major trip focused on signing a security pact and wrapping up a long delayed free trade deal. She arrives on Monday and meets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canberra on Tuesday during her three-day visit. This marks her first official trip there as president in their seventh face-to-face meeting. She is bringing along EU Trade Commissioner Matos Sefkolvik, who has joined her for other big trade signings like the one with India earlier this year. The visit comes after an earlier plan for March got pushed back because of the war in Ukraine. Pass talks hit snags over how much Australian beef could enter Europe without tariffs, with Australia seeking 30,000 tons duty-free and tough European standards for their own imports. Australia has been looking at easing its luxury car tax, which adds a 33% levy on vehicles worth more than $80,000, or $91,000 for fuel-efficient models.

1:04Europe worries this tax disadvantages their car makers, as cheaper Chinese options flood the market. Prime Minister Albanese called it a key chance for the two sides, who he described as, close partners advancing, peace, security, and shared economic growth. Those expect progress on both the trade and security front soon. This story is shared with support from our sponsor. No need to switch positions. The sound is already where your head is.