France's Macron Not Ready To Calm Down After Submarine Humiliation
NDTV
France President Emmanuel Macron's public reaction is partly directed at a domestic audience.
Emmanuel Macron is making it clear that French fury isn't ebbing after Australia canceled a $66 billion submarine order in favor of a new defense pact with the U.S. and Britain.
After the deal was announced on Wednesday, the French president recalled ambassadors to Washington and Canberra and canceled events, a symbolic gesture rare among such close allies. French officials say Macron is looking for an adequate response, and they've been renewing his calls for Europe to boost its own defense capabilities.
Macron's public reaction is partly directed at a domestic audience. Seven months before a presidential election, his main rival, the nationalist Marine Le Pen, is closing in according to some polls. He wants to show voters he's tough. But allies are likely to soon call time on the outrage.
U.S. President Joe Biden reached out to speak to Macron by phone in the coming days. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared to simply brush it all off, saying Thursday that relations with France were "rock solid" while Australia's Scott Morrison doesn't seem in any mood to make amends.
