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 United Kingdom, according to White House officials. The two leaders took part in a 30-minute call Wednesday requested by Biden to discuss the implications of the defense agreement known as AUKUS. The deal includes plans for the U.S. 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 the Elysee and the White House says: “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 ongoing commitment …
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