Blinken: France is a "vital partner"
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stresses the importance of his country's partnership with France, following the statements made by the French Foreign Ministry expressing dissatisfaction with Washington's conclusion of a deal to sell submarines to Canberra instead of a previous deal with Paris.
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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called France a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific, following the establishment of a military alliance between Washington, London, and Canberra that includes supplying nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
Blinken announced during a press conference in Washington that there is no regional division between the interests of our Atlantic and Pacific partners.
The Secretary of State added that the partnership with Australia and UK indicates the US' willingness to work with its partners including Europe to guarantee the freedom and openess of the Indo-Pacific region.
Blinken Saluted European states that play an important role in the Indo-Pacific region and expressed US intentions to continue close cooperation with NATO, the European Union, and other partners.
White House official: We have been in contact with France
A senior White House official confirmed to AFP on Thursday that France and the United States had made high-level contacts before announcing the new military alliance between Washington, Canberra, and London. The alliance includes Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines based on US technology.
The official revealed that senior US administration officials have been in contact with their French counterparts to discuss the new military agreement with Australia even before the announcement made on Wednesday.
Preferring to remain anonymous, the official emphasized President Biden's last statement that declared close cooperation with France and shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific and vowing to continue in the same path.
On the nuclear submarine deal
Relations between France and the United States soured after Australia canceled a multi-billion dollar deal to buy French submarines replacing them with American ones operating with nuclear propulsion. This action prompted Paris to describe the matter as a "stab in the back" and a decision that recalls the manners of former US President Donald Trump.
US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday evening the stipulation of a strategic partnership with the UK and Australia which includes supplying American submarines with nuclear propulsion to Canberra. This action removed the French from the game.
