French President Emmanuel Macron has claimed that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison lied to him about a canceled submarine deal.
When asked if he believes Mr. Morrison was dishonest, the president replied, “I don’t think, I know.”
Mr. Macron was enraged after Australia canceled a $37 billion (£27 billion) deal to build 12 submarines in favor of negotiating a new defense pact with the US and the UK – the so-called Aukus.
Mr. Morrison denies being dishonest.
For the first time since the row erupted in September, the two met at the G20 summit in Rome.
On the sidelines of the meeting, an Australian journalist asked President Macron if he could trust Mr. Morrison again.
“We’ll see what he delivers,” Mr. Macron replied.
“I have a great deal of admiration for your country.” I have a great deal of admiration and friendship for your people. I simply state that when we have respect, you must be true and behave in accordance with and consistently with this value.”
I inquire of French President Emmanuel Macron whether Scott Morrison deceived him: “I don’t believe, I know.” pic.twitter.com/3tcg4xrl90
The deal’s cancellation sparked a bitter feud between France, Australia, and the United States.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called the decision a “stab in the back,” and Paris recalled its ambassadors to Australia and the United States for the time being.
Scott Morrison told reporters after Mr. Macron’s remarks that he had not lied to the president and that he had previously explained to him that conventional submarines would no longer meet Australia’s defense needs.
On Friday, US President Joe Biden met with Mr. Macron for the first time since the Aukus pact was signed.
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During the awkward exchange, Mr. Biden admitted that the US was “clumsy” in its negotiations. Mr. Macron stated that it was critical to “look to the future.”
The leaders will have more time to patch things up because all three are now on their way to Glasgow, Scotland, for the COP26 climate change summit.
The Aukus pact will allow Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using US technology. It is one of Australia’s largest defense collaborations in decades.
The agreement nullified an agreement signed by Australia in 2016 with France to build 12 conventional submarines.
It is widely regarded as an attempt to counter China’s growing military power. China has slammed the deal as “extremely irresponsible.”
