Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement and Critical Minerals Cooperation

Advancing Resilient, Sustainable and Competitive Supply Chains

Date: Thursday 28 May 2026

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Hosted and sponsored by: Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in Critical Minerals at the University of Canberra, which is co-funded by the European Union. In partnership with the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS).

The University of Canberra and the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), together with the Export Council of Australia and KU Leuven, are convening a high-level policy dialogue in Brussels to deepen understanding of the opportunities and ongoing challenges arising from the EU–Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), especially in the context of trade and investment in critical minerals.

This event brings together senior policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and strategic partners for a frank, forward‑looking discussion on how the FTA can deliver meaningful commercial outcomes while addressing the practical realities faced by exporters, investors, and supply-chain actors on both sides.

Why This Dialogue Matters

The EU–Australia FTA promises significant benefits across goods, services, and investment — but the real world is more complex.

Goods: Major gains, uneven impacts

Tariff reductions and improved market access will create substantial opportunities for Australian exporters. Yet some industries may still feel that the agreement does not go far enough, particularly where longstanding sensitivities remain. This dialogue will explore where the gains are strongest, where gaps persist, and what businesses need to prepare for.

Services: A better environment, but not a free pass

The FTA will create a more predictable and open environment for services trade. However, businesses will still need to meet existing regulatory standards across both jurisdictions. Understanding these obligations — and how to navigate them — will be essential for real uptake.

Investment: A clearer setting, with one meaningful change

The FTA improves the overall environment for two‑way investment, but the main practical benefit is the higher screening threshold for EU private investors under Australia’s FIRB regime. This reduces administrative burden and provides greater predictability for many EU investments. Beyond this, domestic regulatory settings remain unchanged, meaning investors will still need to navigate existing approval processes and sector‑specific requirements.

Critical Minerals: The strategic centre of gravity

The most urgent and consequential discussion will focus on critical minerals. Europe’s clean‑energy transition, industrial competitiveness, and sovereign security depend on secure access to minerals such as lithium, rare earths, and nickel — yet global supply chains remain highly concentrated.

A central theme of the dialogue will be the strategic reality that: If Europe is to secure the critical minerals it needs, it must move with greater purpose, speed, and strategic clarity. Australia is a trusted partner with world‑leading reserves, but competition for investment and offtake agreements is intensifying globally.

Download Agenda Here

Featured Speakers and Participants

Keynote Speeches

  • HE General Angus Campbell, Australian Ambassador to the European Union
  • Christophe Kiener, EU Chief Negotiator for the EU-Australia FTA
Session 1: Trade, Industry, and Strategic Supply Chains

Moderator: Dr Axel Marx, KU Leuven

  • Arnold Jorge, Export Council of Australia
  • Airing Wang, AI Jar
  • Klemens Kober, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Session 2: Critical Minerals, Traceability and Resilient Supply Chains

Moderator: Professor Darren Sinclair, University of Canberra

  • Helena Cavaco Viegas, DG GROW
  • Jakub Wilchelm, Renesis Metals
  • Franziska Gruning, Transport & Environment
  • Rory Macrae, Fortescue
  • Fabrice Mathieux, Joint Research Centre

Project and Event Academic Leadership

  • Associate Professor Ivana Damjanovic, Project Lead, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in Critical Minerals, University of Canberra
  • Professor Darren Sinclair, Project Co-Director, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in Critical Minerals, University of Canberra

What Participants Can Expect

  • A frank, evidence-based discussion on the real opportunities and constraints of the FTA
  • Insights from leading European and Australian policymakers and industry experts
  • A deeper understanding of the strategic importance of critical minerals
  • Practical perspectives on how businesses can position themselves for success
  • A platform for strengthening EU–Australia cooperation at a pivotal moment

Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement and Critical Minerals Cooperation