Inside the creation of the US-Australia submarine deal
3 years, 3 months ago

Inside the creation of the US-Australia submarine deal

CNN  

CNN — American and Australian officials have been in highly secret talks for months over a plan to share technology for nuclear-powered submarines, a process that was hatched more than a year ago and accelerated after President Biden took office in January. There was no public disclosure of the submarine deal at the time, though a White House description of the talks said the leaders “agreed that the strategic context in the Indo-Pacific was changing and that there was a strong rationale for deepening strategic cooperation between the three governments.” Biden met French President Emmanuel Macron on the same day, and the two men appeared to get on well: cameras caught them wrapping their arms over each others’ shoulders as they walked from the beach to the summit venue. But the brewing submarine deal – which would wind up scuttling France’s own agreement with Australia to provide conventional submarines – never came up, according to US and French officials. A person familiar with the matter said the White House called Étienne on Wednesday in the hours before Biden made the announcement from the East Room alongside Morrison and Johnson, who beamed in virtually. One US official said there was a presumption among American officials that Australia would have alerted France to the change in plans, and said that France’s outsized reaction was surprising to some in the White House.

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History of this topic

AUKUS Details, Coming Soon
1 year, 9 months ago

AUKUS Details, Coming Soon

The Diplomat  

Plans for Australia’s new fleet of submarines are expected to be announced in March. So far all that is currently known about the AUKUS agreement, announced in September 2021 between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, is that Australia will replace its current fleet of Collins-class diesel-electric submarines with eight new nuclear-powered submarines. He highlighted that Australia’s partnerships …

Joe Biden might have given his seal of approval for the AUKUS deal, but a future administration could take it away
1 year, 9 months ago

Joe Biden might have given his seal of approval for the AUKUS deal, but a future administration could take it away

ABC  

When Anthony Albanese stepped onstage in San Diego, he stood to the side as United States President Joe Biden opened the AUKUS announcement to much American military fanfare. China already knows AUKUS is about them Photo shows Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak stand at lecturns at a US naval base in San Diego The hostility with which China …

Eyeing China, Biden and allies unveil nuclear-powered submarine plan for Australia
1 year, 9 months ago

Eyeing China, Biden and allies unveil nuclear-powered submarine plan for Australia

Live Mint  

The United States, Australia and Britain on Monday unveiled details of a plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the early 2030s to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. Addressing a ceremony at the U.S. naval base in San Diego, accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden called …

Eyeing China, Biden and allies unveil nuclear-powered submarine plan for Australia
1 year, 9 months ago

Eyeing China, Biden and allies unveil nuclear-powered submarine plan for Australia

India Today  

The United States, Australia and Britain on Monday unveiled details of a plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the early 2030s to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. Addressing a ceremony at the US naval base in San Diego, accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden called …

Australian, French ministers to meet to mend fences over submarines row in Paris
1 year, 10 months ago

Australian, French ministers to meet to mend fences over submarines row in Paris

Firstpost  

A bitter row erupted in September 2021 when Australia’s previous prime minister Scott Morrison abruptly tore up a contract for France to build a dozen diesel-powered submarines and announced a deal to buy US or British nuclear-powered subs Paris: Australian and French ministers are to meet Monday in a fresh drive to mend fences 16 months after Canberra pulled the …

Australia sticks to US nuclear subs despite French criticism
2 years, 1 month ago

Australia sticks to US nuclear subs despite French criticism

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s prime minister said Friday he remained committed to building a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology despite the French president describing the plan as a “confrontation with China.” The previous Australian government infuriated President Emmanuel Macron last year by canceling a contract for a French-built fleet of conventionally-powered submarines worth 90 billion Australian dollars …

Australia and France make ‘new start’ after submarine row
2 years, 5 months ago

Australia and France make ‘new start’ after submarine row

Associated Press  

PARIS — Australia and France opened a “new chapter” in their relations Friday as the new Australian prime minister seeks to heal wounds from a secret submarine contract that infuriated France. President Emmanuel Macron warmly shook hands with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outside the French presidential palace, showing a thumbs-up before putting his arm around the Australian leader’s back …

French, Australian leaders meet in effort to rebuild ties
2 years, 5 months ago

French, Australian leaders meet in effort to rebuild ties

Al Jazeera  

Macron hosts Australia’s Albanese as the two try to rebuild ties badly strained by a ditching of a submarine contract. French President Emmanuel Macron has told new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese he wanted to focus on the future as they try to rebuild relations badly strained by his predecessor’s decision to ditch a submarine contract with Paris. Macron reacted …

Wooing France: VP Kamala Harris meets Macron after sub spat
3 years, 1 month ago

Wooing France: VP Kamala Harris meets Macron after sub spat

Associated Press  

PARIS — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed Wednesday that their countries are ready to work together again, after a diplomatic drama surrounding a submarine deal that put the relationship at a historic low. Harris’ four-day trip to Paris comes after President Joe Biden told Macron the U.S. had been “clumsy” in handling the submarine …

Morrison Cites Leaked Messages to Prove Macron's Concerns About Submarine Deal
3 years, 1 month ago

Morrison Cites Leaked Messages to Prove Macron's Concerns About Submarine Deal

The Quint  

Media sources in Australia leaked messages related to the cancelled submarine deal between Emmanuel Macron, the president of France and Scott Morrison, the prime minister of Australia on Tuesday, 1 November, Reuters reported. According to the leaks, when the Australian PM tried to initiate a call with Macron about the contract on 14 September, only two days before AUKUS was …

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of lying to the French over the submarine deal. Here's what got us to this point
3 years, 1 month ago

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of lying to the French over the submarine deal. Here's what got us to this point

ABC  

The fallout from Prime Minister Scott Morrison's decision to scrap a French submarine deal in favour of a nuclear option from the US or UK has continued into this week's meeting of world leaders in Glasgow. And US President Joe Biden is doing his best to distance himself from what he called Mr Morrison's "clumsy" move, as the federal opposition …

Biden tells Macron US ‘clumsy’ in Australia submarine deal
3 years, 1 month ago

Biden tells Macron US ‘clumsy’ in Australia submarine deal

Associated Press  

ROME — Working to patch things up with an old ally, President Joe Biden told French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday the U.S. had been “clumsy” in its handling of a secret U.S.-British submarine deal with Australia, an arrangement that left France in the lurch and rattled Europe’s faith in American loyalty. “What really matters now is what we will …

Biden tells France’s Macron, US was ‘clumsy’ in Aussie sub deal
3 years, 1 month ago

Biden tells France’s Macron, US was ‘clumsy’ in Aussie sub deal

Al Jazeera  

Biden praises France as a ‘valued partner’, Macron says France’s concerns ‘clarified’ over the lost $60bn submarine contract. US President Joe Biden, meeting his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Rome, has acknowledged the United States had been “clumsy” in cutting France out of a deal to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines earlier this year. Macron spoke first in French as Biden …

Macron: Biden tells French President the US was ‘clumsy’ in handling nuclear submarine deal
3 years, 1 month ago

Macron: Biden tells French President the US was ‘clumsy’ in handling nuclear submarine deal

CNN  

CNN — President Joe Biden on Friday admitted that his administration was “clumsy” in its handling of the deal that deprived France of billions in defense contracts. The comment came during a closely watched meeting with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, in Rome, meant to repair fractured ties after a rift over an agreement to provide Australia with submarines, “I …

Scott Morrison speaks with French president for first time since dumping $90billion submarine deal
3 years, 1 month ago

Scott Morrison speaks with French president for first time since dumping $90billion submarine deal

Daily Mail  

Scott Morrison has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron for the first time since Australia controversially scrapped a $90billion submarine supply deal with its European ally. The two have met for the first time since Australia controversially scrapped a $90billion submarine supply deal with its European ally 'The situation of the French businesses and their subcontractors, including Australian companies, affected …

French envoy to Australia: Deceitful sub deal raises risks
3 years, 2 months ago

French envoy to Australia: Deceitful sub deal raises risks

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s ambassador to Australia says Australian officials lied to his face and raised the risk of confrontation in Asia by crafting a secret submarine deal with the U.S. and Britain that undermined trust in democratic alliances. France is determined to protect its interests in the Indo-Pacific region, and to put “muscle” into Europe’s geopolitical strategy toward an increasingly …

France sends its ambassador back to Australia after furious row over $90billion submarine deal
3 years, 2 months ago

France sends its ambassador back to Australia after furious row over $90billion submarine deal

Daily Mail  

France will send its ambassador back to Canberra after he was pulled out of Australia in protest when a $90billion deal to buy French submarines was scrapped. Jean-Pierre Thebault was recalled to France in September after Australia signed a new submarine deal with the United States and United Kingdom as part of the AUKUS alliance. Mr Morrison flew to France …

Biden 'not fully aware' of French anger, as US distances itself from cancelled subs contract
3 years, 2 months ago

Biden 'not fully aware' of French anger, as US distances itself from cancelled subs contract

ABC  

A top US diplomat says President Joe Biden was not "fully aware" of the negative impact a joint United Kingdom-American submarine deal with Australia had had on France, after it was announced last month. Key points: The US is distancing itself from Australia's decision to cancel a $90 billion French submarine contract A presidential envoy has told French media the …

Macron wants Europeans to boost defence, be 'respected'
3 years, 2 months ago

Macron wants Europeans to boost defence, be 'respected'

The Hindu  

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Europeans must boost their defence plans and make themselves “respected,” as France opens talks with the United States to try to restore confidence after a submarine dispute led to a major diplomatic crisis. “Europeans must come out of their naivety,” Mr. Macron said in a news conference in Paris, the first time …

Why the Australia-France submarine deal collapse was predictable
3 years, 2 months ago

Why the Australia-France submarine deal collapse was predictable

Business Standard  

Australia’s unilateral cancellation of its contract to purchase French submarines and sign up for the AUKUS security pact constitutes a slap in the face for French diplomacy – variously described as a “stab in the back” and a “betrayal” by French diplomats. Under this “contract of the century”, agreed to between Paris and Canberra in 2016, France was to provide …

How can Australia repair its relationship with France after the AUKUS submarine row?
3 years, 3 months ago

How can Australia repair its relationship with France after the AUKUS submarine row?

ABC  

The continuing diplomatic rift between France and Australia is "not about the submarines", says Romain Fathi, a French-Australian historian from Flinders University. But he said it was "naive" of France to think it could replace the US and UK as Australia's most important ally. "France has huge interests at both ends of the Indo-Pacific", and could also look to frustrate …

Boris Johnson's 'Franglais jibes' appear to liken Macron to jilted lover on Ausuk submarine deal
3 years, 3 months ago

Boris Johnson's 'Franglais jibes' appear to liken Macron to jilted lover on Ausuk submarine deal

Daily Mail  

Boris Johnson appeared to liken Emmanuel Macron to a jilted lover last night – amid an extraordinary diplomatic spat over a new security deal. But he risked pouring fresh fuel on the fire by breaking into ‘Franglais’ jibes and appearing to liken President Macron to a romantic partner who learned they were being dumped at the last minute. Boris Johnson …

Biden speaks to Macron to smooth tensions
3 years, 3 months ago

Biden speaks to Macron to smooth tensions

The Hindu  

France’s Ambassador to the U.S., Philippe Etienne, will return to Washington next week. Open consultation “The two leaders agreed that the situation would have benefitted from open consultations among allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners. Mr. Etienne will begin “intensive work” with U.S. officials when he gets back next week, the White House said, …

Submarine deal row: How France was sacrificed at the altar of Australia's changing need
3 years, 3 months ago

Submarine deal row: How France was sacrificed at the altar of Australia's changing need

Firstpost  

Australian concerns about the deal were a matter of public record, with worries focused on cost over-runs and delays and whether the submarines would be fit for purpose once they entered service Paris, France: In June this year, French leader Emmanuel Macron welcomed Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison to Paris, with concern about the two allies’ troubled submarine contract high …

‘Get a grip’: British PM urges France to move on from AUKUS row
3 years, 3 months ago

‘Get a grip’: British PM urges France to move on from AUKUS row

Al Jazeera  

Boris Johnson tells Paris to ‘give me a break’ amid French fury over new security pact between UK, US and Australia. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged France to “get a grip” after Paris spent days reacting furiously to being sidelined by a new security pact brokered between the United Kingdom, United States and Australia. Johnson on Wednesday praised …

Biden and Macron agree to meet next month in push to repair ties
3 years, 3 months ago

Biden and Macron agree to meet next month in push to repair ties

Al Jazeera  

France will send its ambassador back to US, joint statement says, after diplomatic spat over Australia submarine deal. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison then announced the country would end the deal to purchase diesel-powered submarines designed by French firm Naval Group, saying conventional submarines have become “unsuited” to the country’s operational needs. “What is clear is that both Macron and …

Defense official defends French submarine-making capability
3 years, 3 months ago

Defense official defends French submarine-making capability

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s Defense Ministry used Twitter to offer a robust defense of the country’s submarine-making capabilities and to criticize Australia’s decision to choose the United States as a partner in a major defense deal. “France has built more than 250 submarines” over 120 years, Grandjean said, and “the feedback in terms of engineering and know-how is considerable.” Australia plans …

France Wins EU Backing In Submarine Row With US
3 years, 3 months ago

France Wins EU Backing In Submarine Row With US

News 18  

France wins EU backing in sub row with US European ministers rallied around France on Tuesday over the US and Australian decision to strip Paris of a submarine supply contract, as the dispute threatened to delay trade talks with Washington and Canberra. German Europe Minister Michael Roth said France’s diplomatic crisis with the US was a “wake-up call for all …

Submarine row is 'wake-up call' for Europe, not only a French matter: EU ministers
3 years, 3 months ago

Submarine row is 'wake-up call' for Europe, not only a French matter: EU ministers

Firstpost  

The show of solidarity from Germany and the EU’s top officials was welcomed by France, which said the breakdown of trust with Washington strengthened the case for Europe to set its own strategic course Brussels, Belgium: The US and Australian decision to strip France of a submarine supply contract is a stark reminder the EU must bolster its capacity to …

French foreign minister says “crisis of trust” with the US as row over submarine deal deepens
3 years, 3 months ago

French foreign minister says “crisis of trust” with the US as row over submarine deal deepens

Firstpost  

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has come out in support of France saying “one of our member states has been treated in a way that is not acceptable” United Nations: France’s top diplomat declared Monday that there is a “crisis of trust” in the United States after a Pacific defense deal stung France and left Europe wondering about …

‘Crisis of trust': France bristles at US submarine deal
3 years, 3 months ago

‘Crisis of trust': France bristles at US submarine deal

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — France’s top diplomat declared Monday that there is a “crisis of trust” in the United States after a Pacific defense deal stung France and left Europe wondering about its longtime ally across the Atlantic. Speaking to reporters in New York, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said European countries won’t let Washington leave them behind when shaping …

EU backs France as Australia submarine deal strains alliance
3 years, 3 months ago

EU backs France as Australia submarine deal strains alliance

Al Jazeera  

European Union leaders have rallied behind France in its anger over a multi-billion dollar submarine deal with Australia that was scuppered when Canberra signed up to a trilateral Asia Pacific security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. Speaking after the closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the assembly, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “more cooperation, …

Scott Morrison not planning to discuss submarine deal with French President Emmanuel Macron while at United Nations General Assembly
3 years, 3 months ago

Scott Morrison not planning to discuss submarine deal with French President Emmanuel Macron while at United Nations General Assembly

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended Australia's decision to scrap a $90 billion submarine contract with France, and says he has no plans to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations General Assembly. Key points: Scott Morrison will spend a day in New York during the meeting of the UNGA He said he made it "very clear" …

UK says relations with France strong despite sub deal anger
3 years, 3 months ago

UK says relations with France strong despite sub deal anger

Associated Press  

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that Britain’s relationship with France is “ineradicable,” despite fury in Paris over a U.S.-U.K.-Australia submarine deal. Peter Ricketts, the council’s co-chairman, told The Guardian on Monday that the meeting had been “postponed to a later date.” The submarine deal, announced last week, will see Australia cancel a contract to buy diesel-electric French …

France’s Macron to talk to Biden amid crisis over submarines
3 years, 3 months ago

France’s Macron to talk to Biden amid crisis over submarines

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron will speak in the coming days with President Joe Biden in their first contact since a major diplomatic crisis erupted between France and the United States over a submarine deal with Australia, an official said Sunday. The phone call is at the request of Biden, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said, adding that there was …

Australia says France knew of ‘grave’ submarine concerns
3 years, 3 months ago

Australia says France knew of ‘grave’ submarine concerns

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — France would have known Australia had “deep and grave concerns” that a submarine fleet the French were building would not meet Australian needs, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday after the contract’s cancellation set off a diplomatic crisis. France accused Australia of concealing its intentions to back out of the 90 billion Australian dollar contract for French …

Australia dismisses France's accusations, says concerns over submarine deal 'raised some months ago'
3 years, 3 months ago

Australia dismisses France's accusations, says concerns over submarine deal 'raised some months ago'

Firstpost  

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the capability being delivered by France’s Attack Class submarine was not going to meet their strategic interests Sydney : Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday rejected France’s accusations that Canberra lied about plans to cancel a contract to buy French submarines, saying he had raised concerns over the deal “some months ago”. Morrison’s …

Submarine deal row: France accuses Australia, US of lying and duplicity
3 years, 3 months ago

Submarine deal row: France accuses Australia, US of lying and duplicity

Firstpost  

The move comes after Australia’s decision to break a 2016 deal for French submarines in favour of American nuclear-powered vessels Paris : France on Saturday accused Australia and the United States of lying over a ruptured Australian contract to buy French submarines, saying a grave crisis was under way between the allies. A White House official on Friday expressed “regret” …

French minister decries ‘duplicity’ in US-Australia sub deal
3 years, 3 months ago

French minister decries ‘duplicity’ in US-Australia sub deal

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s foreign minister on Saturday denounced what he called the “duplicity, disdain and lies” surrounding the sudden rupture of France’s lucrative contract to make submarines for Australia in favor of a U.S. deal and declared that a crisis is at hand among the Western allies. Earlier, France’s ambassador to Australia also strayed from diplomatic language when describing what …

Scott Morrison says he called Emmanuel Macron before pulling out of French submarine contract
3 years, 3 months ago

Scott Morrison says he called Emmanuel Macron before pulling out of French submarine contract

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has admitted he tried calling the French President just hours before announcing to the world he was tearing up a $90 billion submarine contract. Key points: Mr Dutton said Australia's decision should not come as a surprise to France He said a review indicated nuclear-powered submarines were Australia's best option Labor's Penny Wong said the government …

How a submarine deal sparked a major diplomatic crisis
3 years, 3 months ago

How a submarine deal sparked a major diplomatic crisis

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s move to ditch a $66bn submarine deal has spiralled into an unprecedented diplomatic row between Western allies. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, said, “There has been contempt so it’s not going well between us, not at all.” President Emmanuel Macron will have a call with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, in the next few days, the French government …

Australia braces for EU trade backlash as France fumes over scrapped submarine contract
3 years, 3 months ago

Australia braces for EU trade backlash as France fumes over scrapped submarine contract

ABC  

The federal government is bracing itself for the possibility that EU trade talks could be disrupted, as France fumes at Australia and the United States over the decision to scrap a $90 billion submarine contract. Key points: France is a highly influential part of the 27-nation EU bloc European Affairs minister Clement Beaune says France can no longer trust Australia …

France recalls its ambassadors to US and Australia over AUKUS alliance
3 years, 3 months ago

France recalls its ambassadors to US and Australia over AUKUS alliance

Firstpost  

The move comes after Canberra ditched a deal to buy French submarines in favour of US vessels Paris: France on Friday recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia for consultations in a ferocious row over the scrapping of a submarine contract, an unprecedented step that revealed the extent of French anger against its allies. Le Drian said in …

France withdraws ambassadors to Australia and US over submarines deal
3 years, 3 months ago

France withdraws ambassadors to Australia and US over submarines deal

ABC  

Australia's Foreign Ministry says it "regrets" France's decision to immediately recall its ambassadors to Australia and the US in response to a new submarine deal. Key points: A recall of ambassadors is highly unusual between allied countries France said it was unable to trust Australia in talks on a trade deal with the EU The EU is Australia's third-biggest trading …

France accuses Australia, US of ‘lying’ over submarine deal
3 years, 3 months ago

France accuses Australia, US of ‘lying’ over submarine deal

Al Jazeera  

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says a ‘serious crisis’ is now in progress between allies after Canberra scraps submarines contract with Paris. France has accused longtime allies Australia and the United States of lying over a security pact that saw the Australian government scrap a contract to buy French submarines in favour of US vessels. “There has been lying, duplicity, …

AUKUS | France recalls Ambassadors to U.S., Australia over submarine deal
3 years, 3 months ago

AUKUS | France recalls Ambassadors to U.S., Australia over submarine deal

The Hindu  

France said late on September 17 it was immediately recalling its Ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia after Australia scrapped a big French conventional submarine purchase in favour of nuclear subs built with U.S. technology. He said Wednesday’s announcement of Australia’s submarine deal with the U.S. is “unacceptable behaviour between allies and partners”. Mr. Macron has not commented on the …

Why France is angry about the US and UK giving Australia nuclear-powered submarines
3 years, 3 months ago

Why France is angry about the US and UK giving Australia nuclear-powered submarines

CNN  

CNN — The French government says it was betrayed when Australia pulled out of their existing multi-billion dollar defense deal, agreeing instead to attain nuclear-powered submarines through a new deal with the United States and the United Kingdom. The effort to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines – a major step toward countering China as President Joe Biden works to build …

France recalls US and Australia envoys over submarine deal
3 years, 3 months ago

France recalls US and Australia envoys over submarine deal

Al Jazeera  

France has recalled its ambassadors to US and Australia for consultations – an unprecedented move taken over a submarine deal. Calling the cancellation “unacceptable behaviour”, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement on Friday the decision to recall the envoys, on request from President Emmanuel Macron, “is justified by the exceptional seriousness of the announcements” made by Australia …

Defence Minister will not apologise to France for 'backstab' over dumped $90b submarine deal
3 years, 3 months ago

Defence Minister will not apologise to France for 'backstab' over dumped $90b submarine deal

ABC  

France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has described the decision to cancel a $90 billion submarine deal as a "stab in the back", but Australia's Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, says he will not apologise for the decision. Key points: Australia, the US and UK have formed a new security partnership, which will deliver Australia nuclear-powered submarines It means Australia's $90 …

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