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Australia “betrayed” a $40 billion deal with France’s Naval Group to build a conventional submarine fleet last month. Instead, Australia will build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with US and UK technology after reaching a trilateral security partnership known as the AUKUS alliance.
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The cancellation of the deal angered France, which accused Australia and the US of stabbing it in the back by holding talks without informing them.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had raised concerns with Paris over the troubled France’s Naval Group contract, but he could not disclose discussions with the US and UK until the strategic partnership had been agreed.
But France’s ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, who was recalled by Paris last month, said France was a close security partner of the United States, Australia and Britain and could be trusted with such information.
“It is childish to say that it is impossible to consult the French,” Thebault told radio ABC on Friday (8/10/2021).
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The diplomat added that US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the matter could have been handled better.
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