Julie Bishop, Australia’s foreign minister, is keen to deepen ties with European countries following Britain’s exit from the EU LUKAS COCH/EPAPresident Macron takes his road show to Australia today to position Paris as Canberra's new partner in Europe. Only the second French leader to visit Australia, Mr Macron is intent on bolstering trade after France won a €34 billion contract to build 12 Australian submarines in Adelaide. After a splashy state visit to Washington last week, Mr Macron is aiming to convince the government of Malcolm Turnbull that, with Britain departing, France is a vital ally in the push for an Australia-EU free trade accord. Julie Bishop, the Australian foreign minister, said this month that, with Britain poised to leave, Australia was anxious to deepen ties with other European countries. Zoe McKenzie, director of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce, wrote: "As the deadline for…

Source: The Times April 29, 2018 22:59 UTC