In a breaking news development related to the Biden Administration announcement of the “AUKUS” agreement between the US, UK and Australia yesterday that would see US made nuclear submarines sold to Australia and potentially another US Military Base sited in Australia, France, which saw an existing deal with Australia to supply diesel powered subs suddenly cancelled with barely a hour’s notice, has now reacted to the escalating diplomatic row by recalling it’s ambassadors.
WaPo : France recalls its ambassadors to the United States and Australia over submarine dispute
France has recalled its ambassador from the United States as an expression of its unhappiness with this week’s announced U.S. agreement to sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
Brian Aggeler, the acting U.S. ambassador in Paris, was called to the Foreign Ministry there Friday and informed that France’s representative, Amb. Philippe Etienne, was returning home indefinitely for consultations over the U.S. action, and the French response.
France called the secretly-negotiated submarine deal, which effectively cancelled a $660 billion Australian agreement to buy French diesel-powered submarines, “unacceptable” and “incomprehensible.”
The announcement yesterday elicited quick critical reactions from France, China and domestic critics in the UK and Australia although it did not get high visibility in the US MSM. However, some background information I posted in this comment is repeated below to get the flavor of the situation
From The Guardian (UK)
From Foreign Policy :
I will let readers draw their own conclusions, but it seems to me the Biden Administration foreign policy is becoming reckless and run by seat-of-pants instinct more than carefully considered and managed.
Considering what is on the foreign policy agenda in the immediate future, and the dependency on international cooperation needed, the administration’s timing could not be worse.
The NYT weighs in:
NYT Blog; France recalls its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia to protest Biden’s submarine deal
In a statement, the French foreign minister said the decision was made by President Emmanuel Macron.
“At the request of the President of the Republic, I have decided to immediately recall our two ambassadors to the United States and Australia to Paris for consultations,” said Jean-Yves Le Drian, the foreign minister. “This exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional gravity of the announcements made on 15 September by Australia and the United States.”
The decision by Mr. Macron deepened the rift between the two longstanding allies over the submarine deal, which American and Australian officials kept secret from the French until just before the announcement on Wednesday.
In the statement announcing that the ambassadors would return temporarily to Paris — a severe diplomatic step that is usually used against adversaries — Mr. Le Drian made it clear that his country saw the actions of the two nations as a serious breach of trust.
And this backgrounder:
NYT: The Sharp U.S. Pivot to Asia Is Throwing Europe Off Balance
BRUSSELS — Until this week, the so-called “pivot to Asia” by the United States had been more of a threat than a reality for Europe. But that changed when the Biden administration announced a new defense alliance against China that has left Europe facing an implicit question:
Which side are you on?
It is a question that European leaders have studiously sought to avoid since former President Barack Obama first articulated that America should “pivot” resources and attention to Asia as part of its rivalry with China. European leaders hoped that the relationship between the two superpowers could remain stable and that Europe could balance its interests between the two ….
We don’t have to wonder any longer. Military hegemony for the win, climate be damned.
Mark Lipman has a story up that offers some French perspective, I suggest you check that out too.
“France recalls its ambassadors to Washington and Canberra over submarine deal”
OK, folks, got to join a 30km bicycle ride, be back in a few hours. Have fun & debate. 🤜🏼🤛🏼