Aukus fallout: Australia’s Scott Morrison says he will be ‘patient’ on rebuilding ties with France

The Australian prime minister said he has tried to arrange a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron but has not yet succeeded

Morrison said he understood France’s disappointment over the cancellation of a submarine contract as part of the new Australia, UK, US alliance

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he understands France’s disappointment over the cancelled submarine deal. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:26pm, 23 Sep 2021Updated: 4:24pm, 23 Sep 2021

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he has tried to arrange a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron but has been unsuccessful so far, a week after his cancellation of a major submarine deal sparked a diplomatic row with Paris.

Morrison, speaking in Washington on Wednesday, said he would be patient in rebuilding ties with France.

Paris has recalled its ambassadors from Canberra and Washington, saying it was blindsided by Australia’s decision to build nuclear-powered submarines with the United States and Britain rather than stick with its contract for French diesel submarines.

Macron and US President Joe Biden spoke by telephone on Wednesday to smooth relations, and France said its ambassador would return to Washington next week.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at a joint press conference with US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

However Morrison, who is in the United States for a series of meetings this week, said he had tried to arrange his own call with the French President but had not yet been successful.

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