Why the French are so furious at the Biden administration over a derailed submarine deal

3 yıl önce

PARIS ― France recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia for consultations Friday, underscoring simmering French anger over a secretly negotiated submarine technology deal between the United States, Australia and Britain.

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In a statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the move came “at the request of President Macron.” On Thursday, Le Drian compared the U.S. decision to something “Mr. Trump would do.”

The Biden administration’s move to share sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Australia, which was first announced Wednesday, effectively canceled an earlier agreement between Australia and France. Under that previous deal, Australia would have purchased 12 French diesel-powered submarines.

The French diplomatic response has been unusual in its public bluntness — a Friday night gala that was supposed to commemorate France’s naval assistance to American forces during the Revolutionary War was abruptly canceled.

France recalls its ambassadors to the United States and Australia over submarine dispute