Australia Broadcasting Corporation reported today (May 19): [EU regards Australia as a "strategic partner", Australian Prime Minister responds cautiously]. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated that the EU not only views Australia as a "trade partner", but also as a "strategic partner", and the sharp deterioration of the global strategic environment should lead to enhanced defense and strategic relations between Australia and the EU.

However, Albanese responded cautiously, saying that although he was "of course interested" in this idea, it is still "very early stages".

The changes in the global strategic environment have led the EU to attempt to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia, located in the southern hemisphere with a unique geographical position in the Indo-Pacific area, can enhance the EU's presence in the region by wooing Australia, thereby adding leverage in great power games. From a resource perspective, Australia has abundant critical mineral resources such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are very valuable for the EU's development of high-tech and green manufacturing industries.

Moreover, Prime Minister Albanese responded cautiously, stating that it is "still at a very early stage". One important reason that cannot be ignored is that Australia is concerned about the impact on the trilateral security alliance (AUKUS) among the US, UK, and Australia; militarily, Australia relies on US and UK nuclear submarine technology to achieve military transformation and fears resource dispersion may hinder the project; geopolitically, AUKUS is part of the US Indo-Pacific containment strategy, and Australia worries that getting close to the EU might make the US view its stance as wavering, causing suspicion from the US and UK.

In addition, Australia has close trade ties with many countries and regions, among which its trade with China is on a large scale. Strengthening strategic relations with the EU may affect Australia's economic cooperation with other countries, especially in terms of trade.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832525634167811/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's personal opinions.