AUSTRALIA: Trade Talks Postponed Amid Franco-Aussie Sub Deal Fallout

Earlier this morning, the European Union suspended ongoing trade talks with Australia regarding a potential free trade deal in the wake of a collapse in relations between Paris and Canberra following the cancellation of a EUR50bn submarine deal in September. Commission Trade spox Miriam Garcia Ferrer stated that the 12th round of talks between the EU and Australia, due to start this month. had been delayed but did not give a reason for the hold up.

• Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan is travelling to Europe over the coming days to hold high-level meetings with EU member state trade ministers (although notably not the French minister). In a statement, Tehan confirmed that the talks would start in November, and addressing the submarine issue said that "We understand the French reaction to our submarine decision but ultimately any nation must act in its national interest, which is what Australia has done,"