Advertisement
Joe Biden discusses Aukus alliance with Emmanuel Macron, French ambassador to return to US
- The French president agrees to have his ambassador, who had been recalled over the miscommunication, return to Washington
- A joint statement says the two leaders will meet in Europe next month to coordinate Indo-Pacific strategies
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
45
US President Joe Biden spoke with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday “to discuss the implications”, according to a joint statement by both governments, of a military alliance with Britain and Australia, which cancelled its US$66 billion purchase of French submarines.
Macron agreed to send French ambassador Philippe Etienne back to Washington; he had been recalled to France two days after the announcement last week of the trilateral “Aukus” partnership took Paris by surprise.
“The two leaders agreed that the situation would have benefited from open consultations among allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners,” the statement said. “President Biden conveyed his ongoing commitment in that regard.
Advertisement
“President Biden reaffirms the strategic importance of French and European engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, including in the framework of the European Union’s recently published strategy for the Indo-Pacific,” it added.
Advertisement
“The United States also recognises the importance of a stronger and more capable European defence, that contributes positively to transatlantic and global security and is complementary to Nato.”
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x