France, the US Reconcile... Tense Relations with Australia and the UK

French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo by AP Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden seems to be gradually easing tensions between France and the United States. However, France continues to walk on thin ice with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Australia announced the cancellation of a submarine contract worth 77 trillion won with the French defense company Naval Group, following the launch of the new trilateral security alliance AUKUS between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. Since then, there has been no official dialogue between France and Australia for over a week.

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, who is visiting the U.S. to attend the United Nations General Assembly, told reporters in Washington D.C. on the 22nd (local time) that, like President Biden, he hopes to have a similar conversation with President Macron "when the opportunity arises at an appropriate time," according to the British daily The Guardian.

Prime Minister Morrison said he understands the "hurt and disappointment" France has experienced due to the contract cancellation and explained that resolving issues between Australia and France will likely take more time than resolving issues between the U.S. and France.

Morrison said, "Our door is wide open, and we look forward to working again with our longtime friend."

Unlike Australian Prime Minister Morrison, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that it is time for France to calm down.

Also visiting the U.S., Prime Minister Johnson told reporters outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. that "some of the closest friends in the world do not understand this issue," mixing French and English to say, "Il faut arr?ter," meaning "I wish they would stop," according to BBC News.

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