FEAR & GREED | Business News Australia-EU free trade deal; minimum wage fight; insurance is too expensive
Mar 24, 2026
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Australia Signs Major Free Trade Deal With EU
- The Australia–EU free trade deal signals Western democracies doubling down on open trade amid global protectionism.
- It removes most tariffs, spares many EU-made electric cars from Australia's luxury tax, and creates a 30,000 tonne tariff-free beef quota to Europe.
Conflicting Diplomacy Creates Market Volatility
- Markets are jittery because conflicting statements on Middle East de-escalation create rapid swings in oil and equities.
- Donald Trump's claim of productive talks with Tehran briefly cut oil below US$100, then Iran and Israel called it fake news, spooking investors.
Prepare For A Middle Ground Minimum Wage Outcome
- Expect the Fair Work Commission's minimum wage decision to land between union and employer claims, roughly near inflation.
- ACTU seeks 5.5% while employers back 3.5% based on RBA target band and productivity assumptions.