EU draws a hard line on wine in global trade deals

Wednesday, 1 April, 2026
The Drinks Business, Sophie Arundel
The EU is striking a careful balance in trade negotiations, opening the door to agricultural imports while fiercely defending wine. Its latest deals highlight how far Brussels will go to protect geographical indications.

The European Union is pursuing a consistent strategy in its trade negotiations: offering controlled access on agricultural products such as beef, while taking a far tougher stance on wine and geographical indications (GIs).

According to reporting by Euronews, this approach is evident in the bloc’s latest trade agreements, including its deal with Australia.

Beef concessions come with limits

Under the EU–Australia agreement, Canberra secured access to the EU market for 30,600 tonnes of beef per year, alongside 25,000 tonnes for sheep and goat meat.

However, the Euronews report makes clear that these concessions are tightly managed. The quotas will be phased in over time, with beef access introduced gradually over a period of years.

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