CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — French and Australian officials say France’s anger over a canceled submarine contract will not derail negotiations on an Australia-European Union free trade deal. France withdrew its ambassadors to the United States and Australia after U.S. President Joe Biden revealed last week a new tripartite alliance including Australia and Britain that would allow Australia to amass a fleet of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines. The deal sunk a $66 billion contract for France’s Naval Group to provide 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines for Australia. French Ambassador to Australia Jean-Pierre Thebault denied media reports that France was lobbying the European Union not to sign the trade deal with Australia.
The post France, Australia agree submarine row won’t stop trade deal appeared first on WEEK.
