The Aftermath of 'Aukus'... US Urges UK to "Improve Relations with France"

U.S. President Joe Biden (right) is meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who visited the country, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., last September.

As the security partnership 'AUKUS' between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia was launched, worsening relations between these three countries and France, the British Guardian reported on the 17th (local time) that the United States is urging the UK to make efforts to reconcile and improve relations with France.

France reacted strongly, saying that the three countries betrayed their traditional alliance by launching the new AUKUS without including France.

In particular, France criticized Australia more harshly for unilaterally canceling the submarine contract worth 56 billion euros (77 trillion won). It raised its voice, saying that Australia sacrificed its sovereignty by relying entirely on U.S. security to counter China.

Among the three AUKUS countries, the United States was the first to extend a hand of reconciliation to restore relations with France.

This is because if Germany finds it difficult to play a leading role on the European diplomatic stage due to domestic political schedules, France is likely to hold the key to European foreign policy.

Within the Joe Biden administration, there was public opposition to the awkward relations with France, a major European power. In particular, concerns arose that a power vacuum would continue in the region as Germany, one of the leading EU countries, goes through general elections and new coalition government negotiations.

However, Australia and the UK have yet to show any significant progress in improving relations with France.

With escalating international conflicts originating from China and friction with Russia over energy issues, creating an uncertain international situation, there is an assessment that cooperation among major countries is urgently needed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited France from the 4th for a two-night, three-day schedule, meeting several times with President Emmanuel Macron, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and other officials, and at the upcoming G20 summit, President Biden is expected to hold a face-to-face meeting with President Emmanuel Macron to restore bilateral relations.