French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the decision was requested by French President Emmanuel Macron. The move came after Australia on Thursday broke off a submarine deal worth at least $40 billion (€34 billion) with France to build diesel-electric submarines to instead buy nuclear-powered ones from the US. The White House said Friday that it regrets France’s decision, but that will work to resolve the major diplomatic spat. Under the new defense alliance, Australia will now acquire nuclear-powered US submarinesWhy did Australia break off the deal? Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged the damage to bilateral ties with France but insisted he told French President Emmanuel Macron of Australia’s plans in June over a lengthy dinner in Paris.
