Australia has said it is “on the same page” as Canada in seeking to forge closer ties with the EU.
Earlier this week, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said he was looking for a “unique alliance” with the European Union as Canada’s relationship with the US continues to deteriorate.
After the Wall Street Journal had reported that Canada was exploring “associate member” status of the EU, Carney told reporters in Toronto that his nation and the EU are “stronger together.”
He clarified that Canada was not seeking full membership of the trading bloc though.
Following Carney’s comments, it seems Australia are also keen to seek out a stronger alliance with Europe in a world where Donald Trump is in the White House.
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Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian trade minister Don Farrell said Australia is “on the same page” as Canada.
“We will take great interest in what Carney does,” he said.
Farrell did not elaborate on if this meant Australia was actively pursuing a deeper relationship with the EU, or what form this could take.
Just like many nations, Australia has been hit with Trump’s tariffs on exports, despite a long-standing security pact and free trade deal with the US.
“The world is dividing into protectionists and free traders,” Farrell said. “It’s indisputable that Australian prosperity of the last 50 years has all been about our engagement with the world.”