Australia says it could follow Canada in forging deeper ties with EU | The Independent

Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inJump to contentOpen full menuUS EditionUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolLog inLog in NewsSportsCultureLifestyleMoneyTravelPremiumClimateMoreSwipe for next articleNewsWorldAustralasiaAustralia says it could follow Canada in forging deeper ties with EUTrade minister says Canberra is on the same page as Ottawa and ‘will take great interest in what Mark Carney does’Alasdair Pal Tuesday 15 September 2026 05:32 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverRelated: EU plans to trade ‘much’ more with Australia and New Zealand after Brexit

Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreAustralia is aligned with Canada’s efforts to seek closer ties with the EU as Ottawa faces an escalating trade dispute with the US.After the Wall Street Journal reported that Canada was exploring “associate member” status of the EU, prime minister Mark Carney clarified on Sunday that his nation was seeking a “unique alliance” with the bloc rather than full membership.“We are on the same page," Australian trade minister Don Farrell told the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday. "We will take great interest in what Carney does."Mr Farrell did not elaborate on whether Australia was actively pursuing a deeper relationship with the EU, or what form that could take. Australia has sought to diversify its trade after facing US tariffs on exports, despite its long-standing security pact and free trade deal with Washington. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not respond to a comment request.Canada and the EU are discussing allowing Canadian goods, services and workers in key sectors – AI, energy, defence, and critical minerals – to move freely, effectively shifting the EU border, according to the Journal. Talks encompass shared infrastructure projects such as underwater cables, data centres, cloud storage, satellite networks, and energy transport facilities.Mr Carney has spoken regularly with EU leaders, most notably French president Emmanuel Macron, about allowing Canadians to live and work visa-free in the EU, the paper reported, citing two unnamed officials. Mr Farrell said he was open to all options in future arrangements with the EU, excluding fibre-optic cables given the distances."The world is dividing into protectionists and free traders," he said. "It's indisputable that Australian prosperity of the last 50 years has all been about our engagement with the world."Australia and the EU signed a free trade agreement in March after eight years of talks, removing tariffs on almost all goods and potentially easing EU access to Australian critical minerals.More aboutMark CarneyCanadaWall Street JournalAustraliaJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead nextGet in touchContact usOur ProductsRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduThe StandardExtrasPuzzlesAll topicsFree bets offersLatest dealsCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy policyUser policiesModern Slavery StatementThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Australia is reportedly aligning its strategy with Canada in pursuing deeper economic relationships with the European Union, particularly as Canada navigates escalating trade disputes with the United States. Australian trade minister Don Farrell indicated that Canberra is in agreement with Ottawa on this trajectory and expressed interest in the developments being pursued by Mark Carney concerning the EU. Australia had previously sought to diversify its trade following US tariffs on exports, despite maintaining existing security pacts and free trade arrangements with Washington.

While some reports suggested Canada was exploring associate member status within the EU, Mark Carney clarified that Canada is seeking a distinct "unique alliance" rather than full membership in the bloc. The discussions between Canada and the EU reportedly focus on facilitating the free movement of goods, services, and workers across key sectors, including artificial intelligence, energy, defense, and critical minerals, which would effectively lead to a shift in the EU border. These discussions encompass shared infrastructure projects such as underwater cables, data centers, cloud storage, satellite networks, and energy transport facilities.

Mark Carney has engaged in discussions with EU leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, regarding the possibility of allowing Canadians to live and work visa-free within the EU. In relation to potential future arrangements with the EU, Mr. Farrell stated openness to various options, with an exception noted for fibre-optic cables due to geographical distances. This alignment occurs against a backdrop where Australia has previously signed a free trade agreement with the EU in March, which removed tariffs on most goods and potentially eased the EU's access to Australian critical minerals. The broader context is framed by the global division between protectionists and free traders, emphasizing the historical importance of international engagement for Australian prosperity.