So the Australian government is obviously watching the s**t show in Washington closely, and realizing that the US is no longer a reliable partner, like Canada it is looking to forge closer ties with the EU/Europe.

That move makes perfect sense and I'd be surprised if New Zealand didn't follow suit. I also predict that South Korea and Japan in time will want to do the same.

I'm not predicting that they all want (or are able to) to forge ties a close as Canada seems to want, but in an uncertain and unpredictable new world they would certainly want stronger ties on trade and security.

A new currency has been created in international relations, and that is predictability. In a world where challenges abound, the last thing you'd want is more uncertainty, more unpredictability, more chaos.

Unfortunately, after having been the driver of a rules based world order after WW 2, the US has now turned into a chaos generator where the old rules no longer apply. Old and new treaties and deals aren't worth the paper they were written on, because in the WH there's a person so incompetent and ill suited for the job I cannot find the words to adequately describe it.

So naturally, in democratic nations where grown-ups are still in charge, they would want to stick closer together.

"Australia 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.""

The times they are a-changing, and even when (if) a grown-up again returns to the WH, things will never be the way they were before disaster struck.

11 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

The times they are a-changing, and even when (if) a grown-up again returns to the WH, things will never be the way they were before disaster struck.

And looking ahead............. the UK, EU, Australia et al must be considering the horrendous prospect of Vance simply replacing Trump.

It's understandable that they wish/need to move on from this debacle taking place in the US.

46 minutes ago, WIAA Alfie said:

he UK, EU, Australia et al must be considering the horrendous prospect of Vance simply replacing Trump.

Have you thought that maybe Vance is playing a canny game by hanging onto TRUMPs coattails so that he can become president and then reverse all of TRUMP's doings?

PS; On second thoughts I withdraw that stupid idea!

You all behave as if Europe is incredibly powerful or something similar.

15 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Have you thought that maybe Vance is playing a canny game by hanging onto TRUMPs coattails so that he can become president and then reverse all of TRUMP's doings?

PS; On second thoughts I withdraw that stupid idea!

The thing that scares me about Vance is the religious aspect.

Trump obviously doesn't give a flying and just plays along for the vote......but Vance....Yikes!!!

7 minutes ago, TedG said:

You all behave as if Europe is incredibly powerful or something similar.

You seem to get it wrong. It's not about power, it's about being a reliable economic partner and not baselessly bullying other countries.

Having said that, the EU ranks #2 in nominal GDP. Add Canada, UK and Australia to the current associated countries (Turkey, Switzerland, Norway..), it becomes a trade zone at around the same level of nominal GDP as the US.

1 hour ago, WIAA Alfie said:

And looking ahead............. the UK, EU, Australia et al must be considering the horrendous prospect of Vance simply replacing Trump.

It's understandable that they wish/need to move on from this debacle taking place in the US.

It's not only about the US. China is in the background.

Western countries need to unite in order to deal with China's expected hegemony. Obama tried to do that with the TTIP and TPP, trashed under Trump. Now some countries are doing it without the US.

Edited 5 hours ago5 hr by candide

31 minutes ago, TedG said:

You all behave as if Europe is incredibly powerful or something similar.

If one takes the entire continent, including the UK, Europe has a bigger GDP than the USA.

Australia's tariffed trade with America is $40 billion pa. The non-tariffed trade with China is worth $200 billion pa.

Having more trade with Europe would be a bonus.

43 minutes ago, TedG said:

You all behave as if Europe is incredibly powerful or something similar.

you mean the tribal socialist authoritarian economic basket cases without natural resources facing demographic collapse and now overrun by the primitive nations they once murdered and exploited?