The Daily Wire reported that after Joe Biden chose to remove France from a defense agreement with Australia, the French government retaliated by canceling an event scheduled to commemorate the exemplary relationship between the U.S. and France.
The event titled the “240th Anniversary of the Battle of the Capes” was previously scheduled to be celebrated at two separate venues in the D.C. area.
However, the decision to cancel the events allegedly represented the contempt members of the French government felt towards Biden after his decision to undermine a previous agreement the French held with Australia.
In 2016, France signed a deal with Australia to aid in providing diesel-powered submarines to Australia. Biden’s new agreement with Australia to provide nuclear-powered submarines renders Australia’s previous agreement with France, obsolete.
The new agreement between the U.S. and Australia also involves a partnership with Britain, and opens up communication among the three countries, with the expectation of exchanging knowlege on AI technology and artillery.
Members of the French government described the new deal as being stabbed “in the back” by Biden and plan to take the dispute to court.
“This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr. Trump used to do,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, according to Reuters.
“I am angry and bitter. This isn’t done between allies.” continued the French official.
Le Drian expanded on the trust lost after they learned about the new agreement. He said; “It’s a stab in the back. We created a relationship of trust with Australia and that trust has been broken,”
The French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly joined Le Drian in a statement scolding the U.S. for their decision to undermine the French.
“The American decision, which leads to the exclusion of a European ally and partner like France from a crucial partnership with Australia at a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, be it over our values or respect for a multilateralism based on the rule of law, signals a lack of consistency which France can only notice and regret,” wrote the French leaders.
This rift among allies adds to problems stemming from Biden’s decision to abruptly withdraw from Afghanistan. Several allies petitioned the U.S. to remain in Afghanistan to aide in evacuations, but the plea for assistance was rejected by Biden.
Biden upset Canadian officials earlier in his presidency for allegedly tanking the Keystone XL pipeline by blocking a permit that allowed the pipeline to pass through the U.S. border.
Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister said: “While we welcome the President’s commitment to fight climate change, we are disappointed but acknowledge the President’s decision to fulfill his election campaign promise on Keystone XL.”
“Canada is the single-largest supplier of energy to the United States, contributing to U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness, and supporting thousands of jobs on both sides of the border,” added Canada’s top official.
“Workers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and across Canada will always have our support.” promised Trudeau.
