President Joe Biden acknowledged in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron that more consultation could have taken place with the French government ahead of last week’s announcement of a new pact between the United States, Australia, and the UK, according to White House officials.
On Sept. 22, the two leaders took part in a 30-minute call requested by Biden to discuss the implications of the defense agreement, known as AUKUS. The deal includes plans for the United States to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian military and replaces a $66 billion deal for submarines struck by Australia and France in 2016.
