The dispute over nuclear submarines between the USA, Australia and France has escalated dramatically.
Paris has recalled its ambassador from Washington because of the broken submarine business. France’s ambassador in Canberra is also expected to report back home.
This extraordinary step is happening at the request of President Emmanuel Macron (43), said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (74) on Friday evening.
The decision to abandon the purchase of French submarines, which was sealed in 2016, in favor of a partnership with the United States and Great Britain, represents an unacceptable behavior between allies and partners, it said from France. The consequences touched the core of France’s alliances and partnerships as well as the importance of the Indo-Pacific for Europe.
Pissed off at US President Joe Biden: France’s head of state Emmanuel MacronPhoto: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS / AFP
The background to the huge quarrel between the allies: Australia announced on Thursday that it wanted to procure nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new security alliance with the United States and Great Britain. France had already reacted very angrily and spoke of the destroyed trust with Australia.
Australia’s decision to build nuclear-powered submarines with American and British support instead of conventional submarines with French help means the loss of a 56 billion euro agreement for France.
US President Joe Biden (78), Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (53) and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (57) had previously announced a new alliance that, according to security experts, is clearly directed against the military threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific. This also includes building the submarines.
Biden spoke of “rapidly evolving threats”. In the next 18 months a way should be found for Australia to get such modern submarines.
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