Source : Perth Now news
Anthony Albanese has refused to categorically rule out Australia joining the European Union after Donald Trump lashed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for moving Ottawa towards becoming the EU’s first-ever associate member.
Mr Trump warned the move by Canada could be considered a “hostile act” by Washington as the two leaders remain at loggerheads over a worsening trade war.
Mr Carney, who succeeded long-time Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early-2025, suspended talks with the US in August over last minute demands by Washington and concerns about Canadian sovereignty.
The two sides have since imposed sprawling tit-for-tat tariffs, including on alcohol and automotive industries.
Following the escalation, Canada this week became the first country in the world to be offered status as an associate member of the EU.
Many international bodies, such as ASEAN and OPEC, have associate members who enjoy deep ties without inking formal membership status.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola hinted Australia and New Zealand could also follow a similar path to Canada in an interview with Europe Today.
“There are countries with which we want to deepen our relationship,” Mr Metsola said.
“I don’t doubt that it will include other countries, and others will come knocking at our door … In such times of uncertainty, having friends matters.”
Mr Albanese, who is in the US for talks with Silicon Valley and at the UN, said Australia was “a long way to Europe”.
However, when pressed on whether he was not interested in Australia joining the EU, Mr Albanese told the ABC “we, I think, have our focus”.
“We have a very good relationship with the European Union,” he said.
Pressed, he continued: “Well, my focus is on the free trade agreement (with the EU) and getting that in place in both Australia and in Europe”.
Canberra and Brussels inked a free-trade agreement in March following months of negotiating.
Mr Albanese noted Australia’s status as a dialogue partner to ASEAN, the southeast Asian main multi-government body, as well as the Pacific Islands Forum.
‘Middle powers’
Since coming to power, Mr Carney has been an outspoken sceptic of President Trump, who has repeatedly called for Canada to become the United States’ 51st state.
He has also been a significant proponent of greater collaboration between so-called middle powers, such as Canada and Australia.
In a speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France this week, Mr Carney urged middle powers to join forces and create “an alliance strong enough so that no one can dictate our choices”.
“I’m not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great power rival, only with better manners,” he said.
Mr Carney continued: “We do not seek power to dominate others.
“On the contrary, we are pursuing resilience. So no one — no one — can control our open markets, impair our sovereignty, threaten our territorial integrity or undermine our freedoms, our democracies, our rule of law.”
Speaking on Sunday, Mr Albanese – who welcomed Mr Carney to Canberra in March – referred to Australia as a “middle power” in the competition between the United States and China over AI, as well as in Australia’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.
Addressing the war on Iran, Mr Albanese said “It’s having an enormous impact … And clearly there’s a need for the UN to step up”.
“There’s a need for middle powers as well, such as Australia, to exercise the influence that we have,” he said.
EU-Canada deal
The specifics of what Canada’s potential associate membership status may mean are not immediately clear.
While the EU does not have associate members currently, it does have a number of associate agreements with countries such as Albania and Ukraine.
Those deals seek to strengthen trade and security partnership and are seen as a pathway to EU membership – a sometimes decades-long process Canada would, presumably, not pursue.
Associate agreements also require unanimous approval from all current 27 member states of the EU.
The body, while largely stable, has been beset by division in recent years over the war in Ukraine, particularly from former prime minister of Hungary and Putin ally, Víktor Orban.
A spokesperson for the German government told the media this week Berlin was “open to discussing new partnership models” in regard to Canada.
“But we should rethink the concept, the title that is connected with this,” he said.
The European Union has itself faced the ire of Donald Trump in his second term, including over the Republican President’s designs for Greenland – the US and Denmark reportedly reached an agreement over the Artic island this week – and an unwillingness among member states to aid in the US-Israel war on Iran.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran … You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” Mr Trump said in a post to Truth Social.
The United Kingdom is no longer a member of the EU, but has deepened ties under the current Labour government.
How exactly Australia, which has remained largely close in terms of relations with the US, would engage with Europe as an associate member is unknown.
