During his visit to the US, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to rule out Australia joining the European Union, after US President Donald Trump slammed Mark Carney for moving Canada toward becoming the EU’s first associate member.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s bold move to have Canada join the European Union as an “associate member” has led to discussion of Australia following in Canada’s footsteps.

After all, Australia has been represented in the Eurovision song contest since 2015, so why not join the EU?

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell, who has done more than many of his predecessors in getting Australia closer to a free-trade agreement with Europe, hasn’t ruled it out. He told Nine newspapers.

“The world is dividing into protectionists and free traders. It’s indisputable that Australian prosperity of the last 50 years has all been about our engagement with the world.”

“The world is dividing into protectionists and free traders. It’s indisputable that Australian prosperity of the last 50 years has all been about our engagement with the world.”

When it comes to potential new arrangements with Europe, Farrell was quoted as saying he’s open to all possibilities.

He has done some excellent spade work winning over the support of key countries like France in forging the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement. The deal was agreed in March but has yet to be ratified on either side.

And a top EU official, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, said she expected nations including Australia and........

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