What is Australia seeking from a UK Free Trade Agreement?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged the United Kingdom to seize an opportunity to strike a trade deal with Australia ahead of talks with his counterpart Boris Johnson. The pair were due to meet on Monday evening (Tuesday morning AEST) after Morrison told an Australia-UK Chamber of Commerce audience earlier in the day that the process of the UK leaving the European Union could bring benefits. As the United Kingdom moves into a completely new generation of their trading relationships with the world, who better to start that journey with than Australia? Morrison said. The Australian Financial Review reported that the two would meet again on Tuesday morning (Tuesday evening AEST) and were expected to sign an in-principle agreement towards a free trade deal. Several key sticking points must be overcome before a deal can be reached. Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants UK officials to sign a free trade deal with Australia. Credit: EPA  Agriculture has firmed as the major obstacle, with consensus on Australian beef and lamb exports proving to be particularly elusive. British dairy farmers are also sceptical about the trade deal. Australian officials have described negotiations as tough and the two trade ministers have been in daily contact. Australia is seeking improved market access in the UK for agricultural products. Credit: AAP  At the end of the day there will always be hesitancy ... when any country enters into a trade arrangement with any other country - that is quite normal, Morrison said. We have quite a lot of experience in that, weve been able to secure many of these arrangements, and of course you need to explain them to your populations but the ultimate explanation is jobs. We either are passionate about growing the markets in which we can operate - providing opportunities for our own producers and suppliers and services - or we will stay in a situation of being unable to take up those opportunities.  Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his spouse Carrie Johnson speak with Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison during an official welcome at the G7 summit in Carbis Bay on June 12, 2021 in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Credit: WPA Pool / Getty Images  Trade Minister Dan Tehan said enormous progress had been made on the agreement over the past six weeks but it was unclear whether a deal could be reached this week. Morrison described the effect of the UK joining the European common market - a forerunner to the EU - in the 1970s as a devastating blow on Australian producers. The Brexit that has occurred is an opportunity for us to pick up where we left off all those many years ago and to once again realise the scale of the trading relationship that we once had, Morrison said. And who better to do it than with Australia at this time?  Morrison has indicated he does not want to sign an agreement just for the sake of it, only to have the trade arguments down the track. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met Morrison on Monday afternoon and said the two governments would work together to promote open societies and economies, protect our values and confront coercion. Australias main exports to the UK are gold, alcohol, lead, personal travel and professional services. The UKs main exports to Australia are cars, medicines, personal travel and professional services. Heres what Australia will be looking to secure as part of the Free Trade Agreement with the UK. Improve market access for Australian agricultural and industrial products  Reduce barriers to trade and costs through modern customs, rules of origin and trade facilitation procedures  Address non-tariff barriers such as unclear animal and plant health requirements, inconsistently applied product standards and government procurement policies  Better access for Australian financial and professional services  Establish best practice digital trade commitments  Greater certainty for investors through clear rules and regulations  Identify opportunities for small and medium sized businesses  Support innovation and creativity through trade and investment in intellectual property  Promote compliance with internationally recognised labour standards  Ensure high levels of environmental protection  Establish a country to country dispute settlement process  (Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)