Emmanuel Macron accuses Scott Morrison of fomenting a “nuclear confrontation” with China

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Scott Morrison of fomenting a “nuclear confrontation” with China by ditching a French submarine deal in favor of nuclear submarines.

Mr Macron was furious when former Australian Prime Minister Mr Morrison canceled a $90 billion contract with France in favor of nuclear submarines developed by the UK or the US as part of the new AUKUS defense pact.

The French president launched his attack on Morrison after meeting his successor, Anthony Albanese, at the G20 summit in Bali.

He said the French deal would help Australia achieve “freedom and sovereignty”.

And he said French-made diesel submarines “are not confrontational to China because they are not nuclear submarines.”

“But the choice made by Prime Minister Morrison was the opposite, re-entering a nuclear confrontation, placing himself in complete dependence, deciding to arm [with a] submarine fleet, which the Australians are not able to produce and maintain on their own,” Macron said.

The AUKUS deal gives Australia access to US and British nuclear technology.

The eight submarines expected to be operational by the mid-2030s are nuclear-powered but will not carry nuclear warheads.

China has repeatedly voiced its dissatisfaction with AUKUS, with its deputy ambassador to Australia, Wang Xining, calling Australia a “naughty guy” following the new deal.

He added that in the Pacific, Australia would be seen as a “wielding saber” rather than a “protector of the world.”

China’s Foreign Affairs Representative Zhao Lijian said at the time, “US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation has seriously undermined regional peace and stability, intensified the arms race, and undermined international non-proliferation efforts.”

“The three countries must abandon the zero-sum Cold War mentality and narrow geopolitical perspective.”

Mr Macron accused Mr Morrison of lying when the deal with France was cancelled.

Since his election, Mr. Albanese has been trying to restore Australia’s relationship with Paris.

Originally published as Emmanuel Macron accuses Scott Morrison of fomenting a “nuclear confrontation” with China

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