Biden wilde dat de EU een grotere rol zou spelen in de Indo-Pacific. De Fransen waren de grootste voorstander daarvan, logisch want zij zijn het enige Europese land met significante overzeese gebieden (en 93% van hun exclusieve economische zone) in de regio, en het enige met een permanente militaire aanwezigheid.
Frankrijk was ook aan het onderhandelen over nauwere militaire samenwerking met Australië.
En dan gebeurt dit. Een nieuw Indo-Pacific security initiatief van VS, UK en Australië, in het geheim uitgewerkt zonder consultatie van Frankrijk of de EU. En het verbreken van het Franse contract, terwijl de Australische regering een week eerder nog geruchten verspreidde dat ze een overeenkomst zouden ondertekenen voor de volgende fase.
Als Boris had gehoopt dat het hem een trade deal met de VS kon opleveren komt ie bedrogen uit:
quote:
It turns out the UK has ended up near the “back of the queue” after all. For five years now, since the referendum, Brexiters have been talking up the prospects of a free trade deal with the US, which, according to the enthusiasts, was going to offer huge benefits to the UK and was just around the corner. Shortly after becoming prime minister in 2019, Boris Johnson even said he would like to see it concluded within a year.
But now Johnson has admitted, in terms, that Barack Obama was right, and that a trade deal with the UK is not a priority for Washington. Asked when it was happening, Johnson told reporters travelling with him to the US: “I wouldn’t hold your breath.” He went on:
The reality is that Joe [Biden] has a lot of fish to fry. He’s got a huge infrastructure package, he’s got a build back better package. We want to do it, but what we want is a good free trade agreement. And I would much rather get a deal that really works for the UK than get a quick deal.
En ook de EU trade deal met Australië is in problemen:
quote:
Aukus row: EU officials demand apology from Australia over France’s treatment before trade talks
European Union officials are demanding answers – and an apology from Australia – over its treatment of France as the fallout from the Aukus announcement threatens to delay a key trade deal.
Australia’s hopes of entering into a free-trade agreement with the European Union hit rough waters with the EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, demanding Australia explain its conduct in defence of EU member state France.
The Morrison government announced it was cancelling its $90bn submarine contract with the French and entering into a “forever partnership” with the United States and United Kingdom in a new agreement known as Aukus late last week.
The French claimed to have been “blindsided” by the announcement. Despite attempts to soothe the diplomatic row, the French recalled their ambassador and have asked the EU to reconsider Australia’s involvement in a free-trade deal with the EU.
While trade talks with Australia are expected to continue as planned, von der Leyen said Australia had some explaining to do first.
“One of our member states has been treated in a way that is not acceptable, so we want to know what happened and why,” von der Leyen said in an interview with CNN.
“Therefore, you first of all clarify that, before you keep on going with business as usual.”
https://www.theguardian.c(...)t-before-trade-talksXavier Bertrand, presidentskandidaat voor rechts (momenteel 3de in de peilingen, na Macron en Le Pen), wil een uitzonderlijke bijeenkomst van de NAVO, en vindt dat Frankrijk moet overwegen uit het "integrated command" te stappen (zoals Le Gaulle deed).
https://www.lefigaro.fr/i(...)e-de-l-otan-20210919Bardella van het Rassemblement National (voormalig Front National) stelt het Franse lidmaatschap van de NAVO in vraag.
https://www.europe1.fr/in(...)ime-bardella-4067303De communisten zijn altijd tegenstander van NAVO lidmaatschap geweest.