President Joe Biden acknowledged in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron that more consultation could have taken place with the French government ahead of last week’s announcement of a new pact between the United States, Australia, and the UK, according to White House officials. On Sept. 22, the two leaders took part in a 30-minute call requested by Biden to discuss the implications of the defense agreement, known as AUKUS. The deal includes plans for the United States to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian military and replaces a $66 billion deal for submarines struck by Australia and France in 2016. A joint readout of the call from Élysée Palace and the White House reads: “The two leaders agreed that the situation would have benefitted from open consultations among allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners. President Biden conveyed his …
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