The tenth round of Australia – European Union Free Trade Agreement (Australia -EU FTA) negotiations took place virtually from 9 – 19 March. Through more than 60 video conferences, we made substantive progress on a range of issues across the FTA and engaged on our respective market access interests.

‘Your boss has conceded the whole kingdom’, Australian negotiator said to have told Liz Truss.

As the UK-Australia trade deal comes into force, those close to the negotiations reflect on their dramatic — and farcical — climax.

Dave Sharma says ‘megaphone diplomacy’ was behind British government suggesting Dan Tehan was a novice.

Australia’s ABC News said the comments were greeted “with a mixture of disbelief and laughter” in Canberra.

‘It gives the Australians the ability to say, ‘we’ll dig in – here are our terms, but we’re not going to budge’.

Allies of UK trade secretary Liz Truss accused of launching an ‘unprovoked attack’ on Dan Tehan on the eve of their meeting.