SYDNEY, March 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - EU chief Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Australia on Monday, with hopes a free trade deal can be struck after years of negotiations. Von der Leyen is joined by EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic -- sparking speculation the two sides may finally put pen to paper on a long-awaited free trade deal. Australia's largest export market is China and the United States is its largest source of investment. Trade Minister Don Farrell last week said that an EU deal would add Aus$10 billion (US$7.1 billion) in trade for Australia in the first year. And Von der Leyen this month said the conflict had served as a "stark reminder" of the continent's vulnerabilities.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 23, 2026 06:46 UTC