France has summoned the French ambassador to the U.S. in the wake of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement released on the 17th that the decision was made.
In a statement, Minister Drian said that the recall of the ambassador was the decision of French President Emmanuel Macron and that it was justified in response to the exceptionally serious content announced by the United States and Australia.
Drian said the U.S. statement on the 15th that it would support the construction of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines was “unacceptable” among allies and partners.
This morning, a French diplomat described the situation as a ‘crisis’ in US-French relations.
The diplomat, who requested anonymity, added that the incident raises strategic questions about the very fundamental relationship between Europe and the United States on Indo-Pacific strategy.
Australia had previously signed a $40 billion contract with France to purchase diesel submarines in 2016, but decided to discontinue the project with France as the purchase of nuclear-powered submarines was confirmed.
* This article refers to AP.
VOA News
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