Alexis Guilleux, edited by Yanis Darras 7:46 a.m., September 18, 2021, modified at 7:46 a.m., September 18, 2021

Jean-Yves le Drian announced this Friday evening the recall of French ambassadors to Australia and the United States, a first for the latter, for consultations.

This decision comes a few days after the severance by Australia of an order for twelve French submarines, for the benefit of a partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.

The decision is historic.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves le Drian, announced last night the recall of his ambassador to Australia but also to the United States, within the framework of the breach of the "contract of the century" by Australia which was to allow France to deliver twelve submarines to the latter, for the benefit of a vast partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.

A first in the history of the alliance between Paris and Washington.

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The dumbfounded French

"The abandonment of the ocean-class submarine project that has linked Australia to France since 2016 and the announcement of a new partnership with the United States aimed at launching studies on possible future cooperation on sub -nuclear-powered navies constitute unacceptable behavior between allies and partners, the consequences of which affect the very conception that we have of our alliances, ”the French Foreign Minister said in a statement. 

In the French official ranks, astonishment remains omnipresent for those who explain "having learned everything in the newspapers".

If the Biden administration ensures that the French were warned ahead of this change of situation, members of the US government do not specify by whom or when France was informed of the Canberra decision.

Enough to provoke the anger of Philippe Etienne, the French ambassador across the Atlantic, during his impromptu press briefing last Thursday. 

New shadow on the board for Joe Biden

Faced with the reactions of the French government, the spokesperson for American diplomacy expressed his "understanding" and recalled that "Paris is a vital partner and the oldest ally of the United States".

The Americans hope to be able to continue the discussions in the coming days, in particular during the United Nations general assembly which opens next Tuesday and where Jean-Yves le Drian is expected. 

While waiting for a possible meeting next week in New York in the United States, Ambassador Philippe Etienne is due to land in France in the morning for consultations.

A new shadow on the table for US President Joe Biden who campaigned in 2020 on strengthening alliances after the Trump years.