On Tuesday 24. 3. 2026 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sign the EU-Australia Trade Agreement in Canberra, Australia. Almost 8 years have passed since negotiations began in 2018.
The agreement is part of the EU’s efforts to build a network of strategic partnerships in an era of growing uncertainty and is part of a strategy to diversify supply chains, reduce dependence on individual powers and open up new markets.
Europe is thus strengthening its access to another developed market with a population of nearly 28 million, and at the same time its access to energy resources and rare earths. Australia is a key exporter of LNG, lithium, gold, cobalt, iron ore, coal, precious metals and more.
The article was taken from the CzechTrade website
For companies exporting from the Czech Republic, the opening of the Australian market is very important. In addition to the elimination of tariffs, which have so far been mostly at 5%, administrative and non-tariff barriers will be simplified, for example facilitating certification and testing for the entry of certain products into the market. This should be particularly beneficial for exporters in the engineering, electronics and chemical industries and simplification of homologation processes for passenger cars.
Significant benefits of the agreement for the Czech Republic are expected, for example, in the automotive sector, where the Czech Republic exports Škoda Auto and Hyundai (I30) cars to Australia.
European cars have so far been subject to a 5% tariff, while vehicles from Japan and China, for example, have entered the Australian market duty-free. European car manufacturers have thus been at a disadvantage. At the same time, approval processes should also be simplified.
In 2025, the Czech Republic exported cars worth over CZK 3.7 billion to Australia (Source: CSO). Thus, automakers from the Czech Republic will soon save over CZK 185 million in customs duties alone.
The European Commission predicts that the export agreement should increase trade in goods between the EU and Australia by up to 33% over the next ten years.
Czech and EU companies will also gain better access to public procurement under the FTA. Australia should treat EU companies in the same way as domestic companies.
Czech companies that want to make the most of trade agreements should not wait and start establishing contacts with business partners as soon as possible.
Author:CzechTrade Australia
Source : https://ec.europa.eu/
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