www.thetimes.co.uk A sense of betrayal grows in Paris as more light is shed on secret talks that led to Australia ditching a €56bn defense contract
France has labelled Britain an American “vassal” and denounced Australia for “treason” over its decision to cancel a €56 billion deal to buy 12 French diesel-electric submarines.
The Australian government has opted instead for more sophisticated nuclear-powered submarines from Britain and America; a move described by a furious Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign minister, as a “stab in the back”.
Le Drian announced on Friday that he was recalling France’s ambassadors to Australia and the US in protest, an extraordinary step among such close allies and a sign of the Macron government’s displeasure at having been given only a few hours’ warning of the change, made public on Wednesday.
Clément Beaune, France’s outspoken Europe minister, turned his fire on the UK. “Our British friends…
