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Centuries-old ties under strain

The relationship between the US and France, conceived in 18th-century revolutions, appears to be at a tipping point after the US, Australia and Britain shunned France in creating a new IndoPacific security arrangement.

France has pushed for several years for a European strategy for boosting economic, political and defence ties in the Indo-Pacific. The European Union this week unveiled its plan for the region.

Paris had raised the issue of the Indo-Pacific strategy during a June 25 visit to Paris by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing the importance of its submarine programme with Australia, said a French diplomat who spoke anonymously. ‘‘We said that it was for us a very important and critical component.’’ Blinken also met with French President Emmanuel Macron during the visit.

WORLD

en-nz

2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281805697065003

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