The EU officially launched free trade talks with Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday. The move is part of Europe’s desire to promote free trade deals against the increasingly protectionist stance of the United States. The pursuit of the deals also sends a challenge to Britain, which has made deepened links with its Commonwealth partners a priority for its post-Brexit future, AFP said. “Today’s decision to open trade talks with Australia and New Zealand is… a reminder to the world of the EU’s commitment to openness, free trade and global cooperation,” said Emil Karanikolov, minister of economy of Bulgaria, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency.