Paris: France charged on Thursday Australia Canberra scrapped a huge submarines deal with Paris for a US-built nuclear sub after being stabbed in the back and Washington’s Donald Trump-era behavior.
“It’s really a stab in the back. The trust we had established with Australia has been betrayed,” Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le drian told France Info Radio.
“I am very angry today, and bitter … it is not something that allies do to each other,” he said, noting that Australia now have to explain that he is out of contract. How to get out
Le Drian also said the conduct of the President’s administration Joe Biden Trump was reminiscent of his predecessor, who angered Europe with his unexpected decision.
“This unilateral, sudden and unexpected decision is very reminiscent of what Mr Trump would do,” Le Drian said, describing it as “unacceptable” and “incomprehensible”.
The French Naval Group, partly state-owned, was selected for the construction of 12 conventionally operated submarines for Australia, based on France’s Barracuda nuclear-powered sub in development.
When it was announced in 2016, the contract was valued at approximately $50 billion (31 billion euros, $36.5 billion).
But Biden and the prime ministers of Australia and Britain announced a new defense deal on Wednesday that would give Canberra a nuclear-powered submarine fleet, a privilege reserved for some US allies.
The move underscores growing concerns about China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, where France also seeks to protect its interests including New Caledonia and French overseas territories. polynesia.
Asked whether Paris had been “betrayed” by Washington over what Le Drian once called a “contract of the century” for France’s naval yard, the minister replied: “Your analysis of the situation is more or less correct.” Is.”
He said France and its allies were working on a “coherent and structured Indo-Pacific policy” in the face of Beijing’s growing regional power.
“We were discussing this with the United States recently, and here comes the break,” Le Drian called it “a huge breach of trust.”
“We will need clarification. We have contracts – the Australians need to tell us how they intend to get out of them,” he said.
Defense Minister Florence Parly called Australia’s face “very bad news in terms of speaking out”, while France was “obviously seen to see how the United States treats its allies.”
“In terms of geopolitics and international relations, this is serious,” she told RFI radio on Thursday.
Parly and Le Drian had already condemned Canberra’s “regrettable” move in a statement overnight, saying it underscored the need to strengthen “European strategic autonomy”.
“There is no other credible way to defend our interests and our values in the world, including in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
President Emmanuel Macron – who is due to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the already-scheduled talks later on Thursday – has repeatedly said Europe needs to develop its defense capabilities to become less dependent on the US.
Parly and Le Drian said that because of its overseas territories with nearly two million French citizens and more than 7,000 troops, France has retained its ambitions as the “only European nation” in the Indo-Pacific.
“France is a reliable partner and will stick to its engagements, as it has always done,” he added.
“It’s really a stab in the back. The trust we had established with Australia has been betrayed,” Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le drian told France Info Radio.
“I am very angry today, and bitter … it is not something that allies do to each other,” he said, noting that Australia now have to explain that he is out of contract. How to get out
Le Drian also said the conduct of the President’s administration Joe Biden Trump was reminiscent of his predecessor, who angered Europe with his unexpected decision.
“This unilateral, sudden and unexpected decision is very reminiscent of what Mr Trump would do,” Le Drian said, describing it as “unacceptable” and “incomprehensible”.
The French Naval Group, partly state-owned, was selected for the construction of 12 conventionally operated submarines for Australia, based on France’s Barracuda nuclear-powered sub in development.
When it was announced in 2016, the contract was valued at approximately $50 billion (31 billion euros, $36.5 billion).
But Biden and the prime ministers of Australia and Britain announced a new defense deal on Wednesday that would give Canberra a nuclear-powered submarine fleet, a privilege reserved for some US allies.
The move underscores growing concerns about China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, where France also seeks to protect its interests including New Caledonia and French overseas territories. polynesia.
Asked whether Paris had been “betrayed” by Washington over what Le Drian once called a “contract of the century” for France’s naval yard, the minister replied: “Your analysis of the situation is more or less correct.” Is.”
He said France and its allies were working on a “coherent and structured Indo-Pacific policy” in the face of Beijing’s growing regional power.
“We were discussing this with the United States recently, and here comes the break,” Le Drian called it “a huge breach of trust.”
“We will need clarification. We have contracts – the Australians need to tell us how they intend to get out of them,” he said.
Defense Minister Florence Parly called Australia’s face “very bad news in terms of speaking out”, while France was “obviously seen to see how the United States treats its allies.”
“In terms of geopolitics and international relations, this is serious,” she told RFI radio on Thursday.
Parly and Le Drian had already condemned Canberra’s “regrettable” move in a statement overnight, saying it underscored the need to strengthen “European strategic autonomy”.
“There is no other credible way to defend our interests and our values in the world, including in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
President Emmanuel Macron – who is due to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the already-scheduled talks later on Thursday – has repeatedly said Europe needs to develop its defense capabilities to become less dependent on the US.
Parly and Le Drian said that because of its overseas territories with nearly two million French citizens and more than 7,000 troops, France has retained its ambitions as the “only European nation” in the Indo-Pacific.
“France is a reliable partner and will stick to its engagements, as it has always done,” he added.
.