https://www.npr.org/2021/09/17/1038395237/france-recalls-ambassadors-us-australia-nuclear-submarine-deal

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France Recalls Its Ambassadors To The U.S. And Australia Over A
Submarine Deal France said it was "unacceptable behavior" for
Australia to abruptly drop a $40 billion submarine purchasing
agreement with France in favor of a new deal with the U.S. and UK.

Europe

France Recalls Ambassadors To The U.S. And Australia Over Snubbed Sub
Deal

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Updated September 17, 20215:13 PM ET Originally published September
17, 20214:12 PM ET

Alana Wise

Twitter
[ap21260730]
Enlarge this image

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks in Weimar, Germany
on Sept. 10, 2021. France said Sept. 17 it was immediately recalling
its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia after Australia scrapped a
big French conventional submarine purchase in favor of nuclear subs
built with U.S. technology. Jens Schlueter/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jens Schlueter/AP

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks in Weimar, Germany
on Sept. 10, 2021. France said Sept. 17 it was immediately recalling
its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia after Australia scrapped a
big French conventional submarine purchase in favor of nuclear subs
built with U.S. technology.

Jens Schlueter/AP

In response to a newly penned nuclear submarine deal between the
United States and Australia, France announced on Friday it would
recall its ambassadors to both countries, citing "unacceptable
behavior" on the part of the allied nations.

"This exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional gravity of
the announcements made on 15th September by Australia and the United
States," France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian wrote in a
Friday statement.

Le Drian was referring to a joint announcement made this week by the
U.S., UK and Australian heads of state, unveiling a new trilateral
security program -- called AUKUS -- that effectively cancels a previous
$40 billion submarine deal made between France and Australia.

Why Biden Is Taking The Rare Step Of Sharing Nuclear Submarine Tech
With Australia

Politics

Why Biden Is Taking The Rare Step Of Sharing Nuclear Submarine Tech
With Australia

"The cancellation of the Attack class submarine program binding
Australia and France since 2016, and the announcement of a new
partnership with the United States meant to launch studies on a
possible future cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, constitute
unacceptable behavior between allies and partners, whose consequences
directly affect the vision we have of our alliances, of our
partnerships and of the importance of the Indo-Pacific for Europe,"
Le Drian said.

    I am being recalled to Paris for consultations. This follows
    announcements directly affecting the vision we have of our
    alliances, of our partnerships and of the importance of the
    Indo-Pacific for Europe. https://t.co/ue2V1NUTpN

    -- Philippe Etienne (@Ph_Etienne) September 17, 2021

The new trilateral program was announced on Wednesday in response to
China's military escalations in the South China Sea. The region
represents a major global shipping lane with oil and natural gas
resources .

Responding to France's Friday announcement, the White House said it
had been in contact with French officials regarding the recall, but
reaffirmed the two countries' allegiances to one another in spite of
the mounting submarine feud.

"While we regret that they have taken this step, we will continue to
be engaged in the coming days to resolve our differences, as we have
done at other points over the course of our long alliance," a White
House official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity about the
sensitive diplomatic issue.

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