“When people spit on us, don’t say it’s raining”, declares this Friday on franceinfo geopolitologist Pascal Boniface. After Australia’s cancellation of a gigantic submarine order, France recalled its ambassadors to Australia and the United States. “A rare decision, especially with an allied country”, explains Pascal Boniface, who calls for reflection on our relations with the Americans. “For them, we are not allies, we are vassals.”
franceinfo: Is this an exceptional decision?
Pascal Boniface: It is a rare decision, especially with an allied country, but not an exceptional one. There was already a recall of the Ambassador in Italy when the Italian government spoke very harsh words against France, but I don’t believe there is a precedent in France’s relations with Australia or the United States. We call the ambassador when we are in a very important conflict. Among allies, we don’t behave like that. You can participate in a trade competition, but not behind your back once an agreement is made. It was the last thing to call back your ambassadors, even if that doesn’t change the course of relations. It’s just to save face because we were betrayed.
“It’s always the same when Americans have to choose their interests. Allies don’t matter because there’s no real partner.”
Pascal Bonifaceto France
Are you surprised by the continuity of American policy?
No, I said from the beginning that Joe Biden would be more courteous and polite than Donald Trump, but that he always would be “America first”. We can clearly see once again, with the withdrawal from Afghanistan without warning the allies, that the unilateral tropism of the United States remains important. For them, we are not allies, we are vassals.
Will relations between the United States and France be interrupted by this episode?
It’s up to us to choose. In France, there is a strong tendency to say that we need the American ally. It’s true in some points, but maybe this episode will help to get out of naivety. When people spit on us, we shouldn’t say it’s raining. Americans defend their interests in the belief that there is nothing we can do because we believe our security depends on them. Maybe it’s time to think about it… They have a tropism that dates back to World War II and the Cold War.