Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Australia explain the reason for canceling the contract to buy the submarine French then choose the alternative of cooperation with the United States and Britain.
Australia’s stance infuriated France and eventually triggered a crisis of confidence that analysts said could jeopardize the alliance between the US, France and Europe. China, a major power in the Indo-Pacific region is also angry about this.
The US has been trying to defuse the anger of France, a NATO ally. A French spokesman earlier said President Emmanuel Macron would have a call with US President Joe Biden.
France has summoned its ambassadors in Australia and the US as a symbol of its disappointment.
“I don’t regret the decision in Australia’s top interests,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Reuters.
Morrison said he understood France’s dismay over the cancellation of a $40 billion contract in 2016 and realized there could be more spending as a result.
But he stressed Australia must make decisions in the best interest.
“This is an issue that I raised directly a few months ago and we continue to talk about it, including by the secretary of defense and others,” Morrison said.
Australia is now entering into a new defense partnership with the US and UK. Australia will build at least eight nuclear submarines using US and British technology.
While the contract with France was canceled for the conventional submarine fleet.
The three-nation alliance is Biden’s attempt to counter China’s growing power.
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