Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison admitted on Wednesday (09/22/2021) that French President Emmanuel Macron has been distant with him following the submarine disagreement, but promised he will have patience to restore relations with France.
Speaking from Washington, Morrison explained that he had tried to contact Macron, but that they had not yet been able to speak. “We will be patient. We understand your disappointment,” Morrison said.
A week ago Australia unannounced a contract to purchase 12 French conventionally-powered submarines for some US $ 60 billion.
In parallel to this contract breach, Australia announced the purchase of at least eight US or British nuclear-powered submarines, after several months of secret negotiations, something that angered the French government.
In response, France canceled a gala evening in Washington in which Franco-American relations should be honored and called its ambassadors in Washington and Canberra, while accusing both countries of having “stabbed him in the back.”
This Wednesday, Macron and US President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation in which they agreed to meet in Europe in October to discuss the discord.
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