China News Service, October 6, According to "Central News Agency", on the 5th, French President Macron held talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Brinken.
This is the first time Macron has met with a US official after Australia's submarine procurement contract triggered a dispute between the United States and France.
Agence France-Presse reported that Brinken, who was on his trip to mend relations with France, did not originally arrange a meeting with Macron.
A senior official of the US State Department stated in Paris that the two had a one-on-one meeting for about 40 minutes, and both agreed that "there is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen bilateral cooperation", "even if there are still many difficult tasks to overcome."
The Elysée Palace, the French presidential palace, confirmed that Brinken had met with Macron, saying that this trip would help "restore mutual trust between the two sides."
In September, Australia abolished its $40 billion submarine procurement contract with France and turned to the United States and Britain for help in building nuclear-powered submarines, which caused Macron's anger.
The French government said that Australia’s cancellation of the contract was like “stabbing (France) from the back” and even recalled its ambassadors to Washington and Canberra.
Don Fred, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs of the US State Department, previously admitted that “a more proper and frank negotiation among allies could have benefited the (Australia-US-British Tripartite Alliance) statement announced on September 15”.
Brinken had previously met with French Foreign Minister Le Drian, and the two sides discussed in detail for an hour.
Le Drian's spokeswoman said this was an opportunity "to confirm how the two countries will restore mutual trust."
US State Department officials said that Blincol went on to the Elysee Palace. He was originally scheduled to meet with Macron’s diplomatic adviser Bernard, but was given a “one-on-one meeting (opportunity) with Macron, which lasted about 30 to 40 minutes.”
The official said that the atmosphere of the two talks was "serious", "I don't want to describe their feelings, but I will say that at least during the talks, the two sides are very sincere and friendly."
Allegedly, the talks include the Indo-Pacific, cooperation in the Sahel region of West Africa, and cooperation between the European Union and NATO.
Brinken’s trip to Paris was arranged before the outbreak of the Australian submarine contract incident. The original purpose was to participate in the OECD meeting; but his two-day visit to France is expected to surround the submarine contract issue. .
The United States has realized that repairing the relationship between the two parties "needs time and effort, not only in words, but also in actions."
However, US President Biden and Macron have already spoken on the phone, and France's attitude seems to have softened.
After the two talked, the French ambassador to the United States returned to Washington on September 29, and immediately met with Brinken and Biden's national security adviser Sullivan.
Kerry, the US climate envoy who also attended the OECD meeting in Paris, said that Biden now hopes to meet Macron in person.
The Associated Press reported that senior officials of the US State Department revealed that the two sides have also discussed a possible cooperation plan, which may be announced when Macron and Biden meet in Europe later this month.
The date and location of the meeting between the two have not yet been determined.