For the first time in its history, France is recalling an ambassador to the United States. This gesture is as strong as it is symbolic, two years after Australia broke an order for 12 French submarines.
The torpedoing of the contract of the century between France and Australia on Thursday 16 September provokes an unprecedented diplomatic crisis. The summoning of ambassadors is a destructive and symbolic gesture. For the first time in its history, France recalled its ambassador to the United States, an announcement made by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs: “This exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional gravity of the September 15 announcements by Australia and the United States.”
Before leaving the United States for Paris, the French ambassador set the tone by speaking on American television: “We were very upset with the announcement of this new contract “, testifies the French ambassador to the United States. “I think it’s a big mistake. It was more than a contract, it was a partnership”, adds Jean-Pierre Thebault, French ambassador to Australia, before boarding the plane to France.