No breakthrough expected in EU-Australia trade talks PM downplays chances of reviving stalled deal ahead of meeting19 May 2025 19 May 2025 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media OceaniaAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese played down prospects of securing a breakthrough on a free trade agreement with the European Union, when he meets with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Rome, reported Reuters. Australia in October 2023 rejected EU proposals for a free trade agreement that the two sides negotiated since 2018 - a move that was expected to foreclose prospects of a deal for several years. Albanese, set to meet von der Leyen on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration, said it was unlikely that the talks would lead to much movement on progressing a deal. "What we will be able to do is to renew that liaison at a leader level between myself and Ms. von der Leyen," he added. Albanese's comments come after Australia in April said it was working with other nations on a possible joint response to shore up free trade in the face of a barrage of recent US tariffs.