Australia 'on the same page' as Canada as it seeks deeper EU

An Australian cabinet minister said on Tuesday the country was aligned with Canada's attempt to seek deeper ties with the European Union, amid Ottowa's escalating trade war with the United States.



Canada is seeking a "unique alliance" with the European Union but is not looking to become a member, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday after the Wall Street Journal reported he was exploring whether Canada could become an "associate member" of the bloc.



“We are on the same page,” Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell told the Sydney Morning Herald.



“We will take great interest in what Carney does.”



Farrell did not elaborate further on if Australia was currently and actively seeking a deeper relationship with the EU, or what form that relationship could take.



Australia has also been seeking to diversify its trade relationships after facing U.S. tariffs on many exports despite its longstanding security alliance and free trade agreement with Washington.