AUKUS deal shows continuation of ‘American first’, says French ministry
The US’ approach to the deal with Australia on submarines highlights that the new Washington’s administration still sticks to the principle ‘America first’, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune said in an interview broadcast by the parliamentary TV channel Public Senat.
“Washington protects its interests. The deal highlights that the principle ‘America first’ remains in force,” he said.
“The US acts not as partners, but we are not going to wait for Washington to change its course. We from our side should be acting as Europeans,” minister of state for European affairs noted. “We should fortify our ability for the strategic autonomy,” he said, adding that “the Europeans should strengthen their ability to respond, strive for autonomy in the field of defense strategy.”
On September 15, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States announced the formation of a new security partnership to be known as AUKUS. Australia particularly plans to use US and British technologies to build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, the first of which will become operational in 2036, as well as to re-equip its armed forces with US-made cruise missiles. Canberra’s plan breaks an earlier defense contract inked with France, the biggest in Australia’s history. Paris has slammed the move as “a stab in the back.”
Amid the submarines deal France has immediately recalled for consultations its ambassadors from the United States and Australia.
Details of the AUKUS partnership (Australia, the UK and the US) were discussed at the June G7 summit in Cornwall, but French President Emmanuel Macron was unaware of that, The Sunday Telegraph report says.
According to the report, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab assisted in the preparation of the agreement despite the warnings that such agreement will harm the relations with Beijing and Paris.
The Summit that took place on June 11-13 was attended by leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, France and Japan, as well as leaders of Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa invited as guests. According to The Sunday Telegraph, all documents on AUKUS after the summit were classified as “top secret”.
On September 16, Australia, the UK and the US announced the new AUKUS security partnership. Under the agreement, Australia plans to construct eight nuclear-powered submarines and equip its forces with US-made cruise missiles; the made Canberra void its defense contract with France – the largest in its history.
In response to this development, France immediately withdrew its ambassadors from the US and Australia but not from the UK. According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian, Paris made this decision, “knowing London’s policy of constant opportunism.”.
