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

Australia is considering strengthening its ties with the European Union, potentially following a similar path as Canada. Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed interest in deepening the country's relationship with the EU, citing the success of Canada's trade agreement with the bloc. The EU is Australia's second-largest trading partner, accounting for 22% of the country's exports. Australia's government is also reviewing its trade agreement with the US, which has been in place since 2005. The move comes as Australia seeks to diversify its trade relationships and reduce its dependence on the US market.