"Biden and Macron Plan October Meeting"... Can Bilateral Relations Strained by 'AUKUS' Be Restored?

Leaders of Both Countries Talk for 30 Minutes... White House "Hopes for Normalization of Relations"
Attention on Whether Bilateral Relations Will Heal After AUKUS Launch

U.S. President Joe Biden (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to enter in-depth consultations with U.S. President Joe Biden, aiming to hold a bilateral summit in Europe late next month.

Attention is focused on whether the summit between the U.S. and France can resolve the rift caused by France's strong opposition to the nuclear submarine support issue following the launch of the AUKUS security alliance among the U.S., Australia, and the U.K.

Presidents Biden and Macron announced this in a joint statement released after a phone call on the 22nd (local time). The two leaders said in the statement that they spoke at Biden's request to discuss the impact of the AUKUS announcement, adding, "The two leaders agreed that it would have been useful to have open consultations regarding strategic interests with France and European partners."

They added, "Biden conveyed his continued commitment in this regard." This is interpreted as a U.S. intention to appease France.

Additionally, President Macron ordered the French ambassador to the U.S., who had been recalled in protest against the U.S. announcement of nuclear submarine technology transfer to Australia, to return to Washington D.C. next week.

In particular, the two leaders agreed to push for a summit next month to resolve discord between the two countries.

In the statement, the two countries said, "The two leaders decided to proceed with an in-depth consultation process aimed at creating conditions that ensure trust and proposing concrete measures toward common goals," and that they plan to meet in Europe late next month.

The statement mentioned that the ambassador to the U.S., who returned following President Macron's directive, will begin intensive consultations with senior U.S. officials.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced the launch of the new security partnership among the three countries, 'AUKUS,' during a joint virtual press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right on screen) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left on screen) in the East Room of the White House on the 15th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

It also stated, "Biden reaffirmed the strategic importance of France's and Europe's engagement in the region, including the framework of the European Union's (EU) Indo-Pacific strategy."

Furthermore, "They acknowledged the importance of a stronger and more capable European defense that positively contributes to transatlantic and global security and is complementary to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)." This has been a consistent assertion by President Macron.

Alongside this, "The U.S. pledged to strengthen support for counterterrorism operations conducted by European countries in the Sahel region within the framework of joint counterterrorism efforts."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a briefing that the call between the two leaders lasted 30 minutes and was conducted amicably, expressing hope that it would mark a step toward normalizing relations. She said, "President Biden personally feels responsible for the discord with France," and "He will consult with the national security team on ways to maintain smooth diplomatic relations."

The call between the two leaders came exactly one week after President Biden announced the launch of AUKUS on the 15th, which sparked the nuclear submarine controversy and conflict between the two countries.

Previously, with the launch of AUKUS, the U.S. and the U.K. decided to transfer nuclear submarine technology to Australia, leading Australia to cancel a 77 trillion won diesel submarine contract with France. France had abruptly recalled its ambassadors to both countries in protest of not being informed of the agreement in advance.

France's recall of ambassadors from the U.S. and Australia, both key allies and long-standing partners, was unprecedented.

On June 14 (local time), at the NATO summit, Emmanuel Macron, President of France (left), is talking with Joe Biden, President of the United States. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Earlier, when the nuclear submarine controversy erupted, France harshly criticized the U.S. and Australia, saying they "stabbed us in the back" and "betrayed us."

This rift in relations emerged amid recent conflicts between the U.S. and European allies over issues such as the Afghanistan withdrawal and China.

As the U.S. shifts its foreign policy priority from countering Russia to countering China, European countries are concerned that U.S. support for NATO may be reduced.

Moreover, the sudden withdrawal from Afghanistan disrupted the smooth withdrawal of European troops stationed there, and security issues arising from the Taliban's resurgence have heightened tensions among European countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.