<h1>Bilateral trade talks paused over new combined 50% tariff; government reserves WTO retaliation rights, agriculture stalls</h1> A government said negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement with its trading partner are paused pending resolution of a newly imposed combined 50% tariff (a 25% base tariff plus a 25% penalty tied to energy and defence purchases), which it views as a key impediment to talks; new negotiation dates remain unset. The government reserves WTO-consistent rights to impose retaliatory duties and says retaliation can be pursued separately from negotiations. Sensitive market-access demands in agriculture and dairy are major sticking points. Both sides aim to complete a first-phase agreement by fall 2025 and target substantially higher bilateral trade by 2030.