French-Australian Relations Strained After U.S Submarine Pact

Relationship between France and Australia has become worse after officials showed disapproval of the defense agreement signed by the U.S and Australia. Since the pact, under which Australia will acquire submarine nuclear propulsion technology, France faces losses of $65 billion in order to supply submarines to the nation.

French President Emmanuel Macron texted that the agreement was leaked to the media in Australia and classified it as an “unprecedented low.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison was earlier asked by reporters if the government was responsible for the leaking of the text to which he responded, “well, claims has been made and those claims were refuted.”

French Ambassador Jean-Pierre Thebault said to reporters, “You don’t behave like this on personal exchanges of leaders who are allies. Doing so also sends a very worrying signal for all heads of states: Beware, in Australia there will be leaks and what you say in confidence to your partners will be eventually used and weaponized against you one day.”

According to Mr. Thebault, the leak of the test messages showed how France was unaware of the situation and had been kept in the dark deliberately. He further stated, “It completely demonstrates that nothing has ever been told to us.” As the submarine deal proved to be a snub to France, the escalating tensions only increase geopolitical issues.

©Photo: theaustralian