Australia is using the lure of critical minerals needed by luxury carmarkers such as BMW and Ferrari for their EVs and hybrids as a bargaining chip in free trade talks with European Union negotiators this week.

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will meet federal Trade Minister Don Farrell this week in Melbourne on the sidelines of a meeting of ministers on the Pacific pact known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

While Farrell played down the prospect of the exclusive Pacific trading club inviting China or Taiwan to join any time soon, he was optimistic of the breakthrough in talks with the Europeans, who have renewed interest in striking a deal with Australia that gives European brands tariff-free access to the minerals needed for high-tech

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