Link to article: https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20210922-macron-to-speak-to-biden-in-bid-to-calm-waters-amid-submarine-dispute
The French Ambassador to the United States is set to return to the states after being withdrawn following Australia backing out of a submarine deal with France after secretly arranging another deal with the United States and Britain. Australia had been planning to buy submarines from France. However, on September 15, Australia backed out of the deal with France, and instead has decided to take a better deal with the United States and Great Britain. The French government was outraged with the sudden change of plans, losing billions of dollars, causing President Macron to withdraw his ambassador. However, on September 22, President Macron and President Biden had a phone conversation, where the two leaders attempted and succeeded in amending the relationship between their respective countries. After the 30 minute phone conversation with the foreign leaders, both parties agreed a transparent negotiation process would have been beneficial to both sides. Macron and Biden first met each other at the G7 summit in June, and are scheduled to see each other again in October.
The situation with France, the United States, Britain, and Australia has reportedly outraged authorities, however, there is little France can do. Compared against the joint powers of Britain, the United States, and Australia, France has no leverage to hold against the trio of countries. Although transparency might have avoided the current tension, it isn’t always necessary for successful negotiations, nor is transparency always the best option for business negotiations. France removing its ambassadors from the United States likely serves no purpose other than displaying its discontent for their surreptitious trade deal. Gilles Gressani, president of a think tank, stated that “showdowns” with the United States and France is common, which is evidence that France’s actions may have largely been motivated by giving a show to its constituents and the rest of the international community.
Although not directly involved with NGOs, MNCs, or IGOs, during the meeting, the United States acknowledged that they would benefit from a stronger European defense system, due to the effects on NATO, of which France and the United States are a part. Even though the deal does not directly affect the IGO NATO, there are trickle-down effects that could possibly strengthen or weaken it, and the United States believes it important that NATO be as strong as possible in order to protect themselves and their allies. This is likely due to the constant conflict between the United States and other world powers, namely Russia and China.