France recalls ambassadors from US and Australia | Abroad

On Thursday, the French foreign minister reacted furiously to the presentation of the new security pact AUKUS by the US, UK and Australia, centered on a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.

An “angry and bitter” minister Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke of a dagger in the back. “This one-sided, sudden and unforeseen decision is very reminiscent of what Mr. Trump would do.” The new deal means that a previously concluded agreement between France and Australia on submarines is cancelled.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already emphasized in an attempt at reconciliation that France is also an important partner. That doesn’t seem to have helped much. In any case, Europe is angry about the AUKUS pact because it was never informed during the process, according to foreign policy chief of the European Commission Borrell, and feels left out. China is also furious. The pact is seen by analysts as a fist against China.

—