Macron Speaks With President Biden Amid Submarine Scandal, Will Send Ambassador Back to DC

President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday with French President Emmanuel Macron as the United States looked to stem the fallout from France’s fury over a deal to sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. Prior to the call, French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal had said Macron was expecting “clarifications and clear commitments for reengagement” from President Biden.

The diplomatic spat between the U.S. and France erupted last week over the deal the Biden administration announced with Australia to provide that country with nuclear-powered submarines as part of a wider security pact that also included the United Kingdom. But the French had been expecting to be the ones to sell submarines to Australia under a 2016 contract. French officials said they were “blindsided” by the announcement, which cost them the $66 billion agreement. In response, France recalled its ambassadors from the U.S. and Australia, and canceled a gala at its embassy in Washington.

Following Wednesday’s call, Macron said he would allow the French ambassador to return to Washington next week to start “intensive work” with senior U.S. officials to improve relations. In a joint statement following the call, the two leaders said they agreed that “the situation would have benefitted from open consultations among allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners.” The two will meet in person at the end of October, they said in the statement.

Today I spoke with President Emmanuel Macron of France, and reaffirmed the importance of French and European engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to a process of in-depth consultations and to meeting with him in October. pic.twitter.com/MouVMCBgDR

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 22, 2021

“President Biden reaffirms the strategic importance of French and European engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, including in the framework of the European Union’s recently published strategy for the Indo-Pacific,” the statement said. “The United States also recognizes the importance of a stronger and more capable European defense, that contributes positively to transatlantic and global security and is complementary to NATO.”

All is Well with France. Thanks Biden. https://t.co/k9QPuTclrd

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— Badd Company (@BaddCompani) September 22, 2021