US, France Discussed AUKUS Submarine Deal Ahead of Announcement
The White House assures that they had talks with France regarding AUKUS ahead of its announcement.
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United States President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron | AFFP
France and the United States had high-level talks ahead of the latter announcing its AUKUS alliance with Australia and the United Kingdom, a White House official said. The alliance will see Canberra acquiring nuclear-powered submarines through London and Washington's help.
The Wednesday announcement of the alliance also said it would see an increase in the cooperation between the three nations, including on AI, cyber, and quantum technologies, in addition to underwater and long-range missile capabilities, as per a senior Biden administration official.
"Senior administration officials have been in touch with their French counterparts to discuss AUKUS, including before the announcement," the official told AFP following news regarding the agreement that sparked rage and feelings of betrayal in Paris.
The said feelings of rage and betrayal were due to France having a $36.5 billion Macron-backed deal with Australia - that would have seen Paris providing Canberra with conventional submarines - and the deal getting toppled by the AUKUS alliance submarine deal.
