Australia, EU determined to seal trade deal as talks revived, Farrell says

By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY, June 4 (Reuters) - Australia and the European Union have revived talks for a sweeping free trade agreement, after Australia's trade minister Don Farrell met with the European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič in Paris on Wednesday.

The meeting on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting comes amid a Wednesday deadline by the United States for countries to send their best offer in trade negotiations.

Farrell met the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris on Tuesday, after Australia criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's move to double steel tariffs to 50% from 25% and called for the removal of a 10% tariff on all its exports.

"Both Australia and the EU recognize that now is the time to strengthen our economic partnership, and we’re working through the remaining issues to try and finalize the deal," Farrell told Reuters in a statement.

A pact with the region was "about building economic resilience in a rapidly changing global environment," said Farrell.

Agriculture topped a list of outstanding issues for an EU deal that officials will work on, although Australian officials could not say when the pact would be agreed.

Australia has previously offered to put the removal of its luxury car tax on the table but wants greater access for lamb and beef exports to Europe.

The advantages of an EU deal include increased investment, stronger supply chain links, education ties and export opportunities, said Farrell.