A French government spokesman said, on Sunday, that French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a phone call with US President Joe Biden in the next few days, amid a diplomatic crisis caused by Australia’s cancellation of a submarine contract with Paris.
France said on Friday it was recalling its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra over a tripartite security deal that also includes Britain, which sank an order worth billions of dollars for French submarines.
“President Biden has asked to speak to the president of the republic and there will be a phone conversation in the next few days between President Macron and President Biden,” Gabriel Attal told BFM TV news channel.
Atal said France would seek “clarification” about canceling the submarine order.
The cancellation of the contract, concluded in 2016, caused outrage in Paris, which claims that its allies did not consult it. But the Australian government says it has made its concerns clear for months, according to Reuters.
One of the cornerstones of democracy is under attack and scrutiny around the world.
Atal added that after the initial “shock” of the cancellation, discussions should take place on the terms of the contract, in particular the compensation of the French side.