Rabat – France is recalling its ambassadors to the US and Australia in a historic first, following “unacceptable behavior” from two of its key allies, with Paris describing a new arms deal between the US and Australia as a “stab in the back.”
The US and Australia announced they had agreed on a large-scale arms deal to “counter” the rise of China as a regional power. While warmongering against China has become a common refrain in Western politics in recent times, the deal meant that France’s earlier agreement to supply Australia with similar nuclear submarines was nullified.
As a result of what Paris considers a betrayal by its American ally, the French have recalled their ambassador from both the US and Australia in a historic first. France was key to the US’ independence, spending vast amounts of its wealth on supporting its war against Britain, the former French empire’s historic rival.
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This century-old alliance has come under pressure following moves by the administration of US President Joe Biden to undercut the French agreement with Australia. French politicians have accused Biden of “acting like Trump,” by treating an age-old ally as a direct competitor without consultation.
China similarly criticised the new pacts between the US and Australia. As the first developing nation to truly become an equal to former colonial powers, China is facing increased hostility from its long-time trade partners in the West.
Chinese diplomats described the sudden US-Australian pact as “extremely irresponsible,” with Beijing lamenting apparent efforts to start a new global arms race that mirrors the cold war-strategy that politically and economically bankrupted the Soviet Union.
