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The trilateral security group launched by the US, the UK and Australia to create a security umbrella for the Indo-Pacific has drawn sharp comments from NATO ally France.</p>
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Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told the media: &quot;It&#39;s really a stab in the back. We had established a relationship of trust with Australia, this trust has been betrayed. I am very angry today, and bitter… this is not something allies do to each other&quot;.<br />
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France is furious as the formation of the trilateral grouping has led to the cancellation of French shipbuilder Naval&#39;s contract to build 12 submarines under a $36 billion contract. The deal had first been signed between France and Australia in 2016. Australia was reportedly unhappy over delays as well as the rise in costs.<br />
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France is unhappy with both&mdash;Australia for cancelling the deal unilaterally and with the US for the &quot;stab in the back&quot;. Le Drian recalled former US President Donald Trump for his unpredictable behaviour, saying: &quot;This unilateral, sudden and unforeseeable decision very much recalls what Mr Trump would do&quot;.<br />
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Paris is mad with President Joe Biden for dangling an alternate deal before Australia.&nbsp;</p>
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The foundation of the trilateral AUKUS rests on providing a security umbrella to the Indo-Pacific by giving nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. The US has provided such submarines only to a handful of chosen partners. Australia is elated over the deal, as it has been feeling intense heat from China.<br />
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A hostile assertion by China had led to countermeasures by many nations led by the US. The European countries too had responded to Biden&#39;s call to take on Beijing and to keep the Indo-Pacific open and free. The Europeans also felt that the Biden administration was rekindling its traditional proximity with Europe which had frayed considerably under the inward-looking Trump administration.<br />
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But as the three English-speaking allies forge a military alliance with clear objectives, it will force many countries in Europe to re-evaluate where they stand on the global podium regarding relations with Washington.</p>
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Biden&#39;s policies are under global scrutiny, with many European allies feeling miffed over the Afghan pull-out debacle and the evacuation of their nations. The strong French reaction to the&nbsp;cancellation of the deal will add to that disenchantment against the US.</p>
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Both the US and Australia tried to pacify France. Biden said on Wednesday that France remained a &quot;key partner in the Indo-Pacific zone.&quot; On the other side of the world, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: &quot;France is a key friend and partner to Australia and the Indo-Pacific.&quot;<br />
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French company Naval, which is partly owned by the State, is likely to seek compensation from Australia for unilaterally breaking the contract.</p>
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