Rome, 18 September 2021 – One breaks out diplomatic crisis between France and the USA, Great Britain and Australia after the so-called “anti-China pact”. For the first time in its history France has recalled his ambassadors in the United States and Australia and the motivation is the need to carry out consultations in reaction to US-GB-Australia military pact (Aukus) just signed, an alliance in the Indo-Pacific quadrant of containment of China. It is a very serious step that reveals the very strong French irritation towards the two allies, especially for a contract that has been lost by over 30 billion euros in the supply of military submarines.
President Emmanuel Macron ordered the recall of the ambassadors, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reported after Canberra renounced a order of submarines for the French Naval Group in favor of US submarines.
The motion surprises the Americans. The White House leaked its “regret” over the recall of the French ambassador, but said the United States will work to resolve the diplomatic dispute. “We are sorry that they have taken this step, we will continue to be busy in the coming days for resolve our differences, as we have done at other points in the course of our long alliance “, explained a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity.” France – he added – is our oldest ally and one of our strongest and strongest partners. we share a long history of common democratic values and a commitment to work together to face global challenges “.
The Drian he explained in a statement that the decision was made to recall the two French ambassadors “immediately” because of the “exceptional gravity of the announcements made on September 15 by Australia and the United States. “The abandonment of the ocean-class submarine project on which Australia and France had been working since 2016 constitutes” a unacceptable behavior between allies and partners, “said the minister.” The consequences affect the very concept we have of our alliances, our partnerships, and the importance of the Indo-Pacific for Europe “, complained the owner of the Quai d’Orsay .
The president of the United States, Joe Biden, announced Wednesday the new Australia-US-GB defense alliance, which extends the technology of nuclear submarines of the United States to Australia, as well as cyber defense, applied artificial intelligence and subsea capabilities. The pact is widely seen as aimed at counter the rise of China.
The move infuriated France, which has lost a contract for the supply of conventional submarines to Australia which was worth 50 billion Australian dollars (31 billion euros) when it was signed in 2016 and which now puts hundreds of jobs at risk in the French shipbuilding sector.
The calls of the French ambassador to the United States and Australia, key allies of France, are unprecedented. “It really is one backstab“, Le Drian said Thursday,” we had established a relationship of trust with Australia, this trust has been betrayed. “
Me too’Australia, like the US, they are trying to mend relations with the French. “Australia includes the strong disappointment of France for our decision “, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a brief statement reported by local media, explicitly referring to” our national security interests, clear and communicated “. Canberra insists on relations with France,” an important partner “, which makes a” crucial contribution to stability, especially in the Indo-Pacific region “, and the willingness to collaborate on various” issues of common interest “on the basis of” shared values ”.
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