But over the past few months, Biden has found himself at odds with his allies on a number of high-profile issues.
Differences were noted regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the pace of sharing the COVID-19 vaccine and international travel restrictions, and how best to respond to China’s military and economic measures. A violent French backlash has erupted in recent days after the United States and Britain announced they would help equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
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by declaring that “America is back” and committing to a more collaborative international approach.
At the same time, he focused on recalibrating national security priorities after 20 years marked by preoccupation with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and thwarting Islamic terrorists in the Middle East and South Asia. He tried to argue that the United States and its democratic allies need to focus more on tackling the economic and security threats posed by China and Russia.
Biden faced resistance – and, at times, outright anger – from his allies when the White House made important global decisions with what some deemed insufficient.
France was furious over the submarine deal, which aimed to bolster phone number library Australia’s efforts to keep tabs on the Chinese military in the Pacific, but undermines a deal worth at least $ 66 billion dollars for a fleet of a dozen submarines built by a French contractor.
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French President Emmanuel Macron recalled the French ambassadors to the United States and Australia for consultations in Paris. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Australia and the United States both betrayed France. Biden and Macron are expected to speak by phone in the coming days, a French government spokesperson said.
“It was really a stab in the back,” said Le Drian. “It sounds a lot like what Trump did. “
The Biden administration and Australian officials have said France is aware of their plans and the White House has vowed to “continue to engage in the coming days to resolve our differences.”