Nationals ‘fanatics’ leading Liberals ‘by the nose’ against EU trade deal, minister says

Key points

• Cabinet minister Tim Ayres has urged Opposition Leader Angus Taylor to take a strong stand against The Nationals, who plan to block the $10bn-a-year EU free trade deal in parliament. Nationals leader Matt Canavan says the deal fails farmers and could expose Australia to sanctions over climate targets under the Paris Agreement.
• Most sectors and business groups have welcomed the agreement. Coalition frontbencher Sarah Henderson said the deal is not good enough for beef and dairy producers.
• If blocked, it would be the first free trade agreement not to pass parliament.