European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a long-awaited free trade deal on Tuesday, compromising to boost exports in the face of global uncertainty over trade. Von der Leyen's visit to Australia with trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic in tow comes as the 27-nation bloc and the import-reliant nation navigate renewed energy vulnerability sparked by the war in the Middle East. The accord is the latest agreed by Brussels in a push to diversify trade as Europe faces challenges from the United States and China.The two sides also inked an agreement to step up defence ... (full story)