France says Biden acted like Trump in Australian submarine deal

France accused Thursday President BidenJoe BidenOvernight Defense & National Security – Milley Becomes Lightning Rod Democrats Hope Biden Can Overthrow Manchin and Sinema On The Money – Presented by Wells Fargo – Democrats move tax plan forward through obstacles MORE to make an “unpredictable decision” like President TrumpDonald Trump Former Senator Heller to run for Nevada governor Overnight Defense & National Security – Milley becomes lightning rod Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley becomes right lightning rod MORE “used to do it” after canceling a $ 40 billion submarine defense deal the European nation had signed with Australia, according to Reuters.

“This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr. Trump was doing,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Franceinfo radio, according to the news agency. “I am angry and bitter. This is not done between allies.”

The United States, Australia and the United Kingdom on Wednesday established a new trilateral security partnership in the Indo-Pacific. The three planned to launch an 18-month review exploring how Australia could best acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

In the process, however, France was left behind.

France had been working on the submarines since 2016, when Australia selected Naval Group, a French shipbuilder, to build $ 40 billion worth of submarines to replace their two decades old, reported Reuters. Australia even reconfirmed the deal with France just two weeks ago.

“It’s a stab in the back,” Le Drian said of the new deal, according to the outlet. “We have created a relationship of trust with Australia and that trust has been severed.”

While Trump and French President Emmanuel MacronEmmanuel Jean-Michel MacronFrench forces kill the head of the Islamic State in the Sahara, according to Macron, the withdrawal from Afghanistan arouses mistrust of Europeans towards America The French star of the “New Wave” Jean -Paul Belmondo dies MORE did not have a strong relationship, some diplomats say there were concerns about Biden’s relationship with EU allies, Reuters wrote.

On Wednesday, Biden called France a “key partner in the Indo-Pacific”.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement the country looked forward to continuing to work “closely and positively” with France, adding that “France is a friend and a key partner of Australia and the Indo -Peaceful”.