EU–Australia economic cooperation is entering an ambitious new phase. Policymakers and key stakeholders hope that the proposed trade agreement will have a transformational impact on political and economic cooperation. While EU–Australia economic cooperation is increasing, the international economic landscape has shifted dramatically. Technological advances and global value chains have redefined traditional flows of goods, capital and services across borders and tested the limits of established international institutions of economic cooperation. Importantly, public dissent and changing domestic politics is affecting international trade. The broad consensus relating to trade liberalisation – and the institutions which have facilitated it – are under threat. There is an urgent need for governments to explain trade liberalisation and why it matters to citizens.

The Centre of Excellence has a deeply practical focus and the work program engages with the policy developments related to the proposed Australia-EU trade negotiations. These practical discussions are framed by the academic debates about the changing international economic landscape in which the EU and Australia must now operate.

The Centre’s principal objective is to identify opportunities for the EU and Australia to progress the bilateral economic relationship and to pursue shared objectives in regional and multilateral contexts.

Download our Centre of Excellence for EU-Australia Economic Cooperation information flyer (PDF)

Specifically, the Centre will:

• Become an authoritative, independent source of academic and empirical information relating to EU-Australia economic cooperation;
• Identify policies to advance bilateral economic cooperation between the EU and Australia;
• Provide timely and accurate information relating to the trade agreement as the negotiations unfold;
• Enhance trade policy capacity (in Australia, in the EU);
• Research shared trade policy interests in relation to the multilateral and regional contexts;
• Provide educational experiences and resources for postgraduates, early career scholars and continuing education students;
• Provide detailed, accurate information about the impact of trade policy on citizens.