Sat 18 September 2021:
On Friday, France, America’s oldest ally, recalled its ambassador to the United States in an unprecedented show of anger that eclipsed past schisms by decades.
After the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom ignored France in forming a new Indo-Pacific security structure, the connection conceived during the 18th century revolutions appeared to be at a tipping point.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he took the “exceptional decision” at the request of President Emmanuel Macron.
According to the French foreign ministry, this is the first time France has summoned its ambassador to the United States. The French envoy to Australia was also summoned.
The formation of AUKUS means Australia will discard its Future Submarine Program with France, and assemble eight nuclear-powered submarines with its new allies, the US and UK.
The press release said the deal’s cancellation, which was signed in 2016, and the announcement of a new partnership “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.”
Earlier, France said the “regrettable decision” was “contrary to the letter and the spirit of the cooperation which prevailed between France and Australia.”
US President Joe Biden was joined by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison by video as he unveiled the alliance on Wednesday night.
Stressing its importance, the three leaders said the pact will help ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term.
While none of them mentioned China in their remarks, the need to bolster the region against encroachment by Beijing was underscored throughout the news conference.
The decision to recall the ambassador represents a shocking turnaround for France under Macron, who — after an increasingly bitter relationship with former President Donald Trump — warmly clasped hands with Biden at a G-7 summit in June and confirmed that “America is back.”
Macron has not yet commented on the issue.
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