The Soapbox

Seattle .Hoo

Joined: 08/13/1998 Posts: 56917
Likes: 76044


Maybe and maybe not. I think the French would likely have been pissed off


no matter how it went down. Of course, there is the basic business question of them losing a $66B military deal. But there is so much more. France is taking a different approach with China than the US wants to take, a more middle path if you will. France desires to drive how the west engages China. There is the additional irritation, I'm sure, with post-Brexit UK being a thorn in their side once again. There is the realization that the French-German controlled EU could have less global influence in the post-Cold War realities. As if the Afghanistan withdrawal wasn't enough to convince them that the US will refocus to this new reality, the sub deal drives it home. Here's the other thing; this is a deal for Australia to get nuclear submarines which is quite the departure technologically and culturally. New Zealand still does not allow nuclear ships to dock in their ports, for example. It's a big deal.

I agree that this manner of this decision seems more Trumpian. Perhaps we could smooth things over with France by having them participate in the new sub deal, but that's not the same as them determining the direction with China. The US is flexing its muscle towards a new reality.

(In response to this post by hoolstoptheheels)

Posted: 09/20/2021 at 11:19AM



+2

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Current Thread:
  That's different. ** -- ResistHoo 09/20/2021 11:31AM
  Yes, because that’s what his actions suggested -- WahooMatt05 09/20/2021 10:16AM
  That's also different. ** -- ResistHoo 09/20/2021 11:32AM
  Simplistic AF. ** -- Seattle .Hoo 09/20/2021 11:21AM
  You’re an idiot. ** -- WahooRQ 09/20/2021 10:52AM
  They were always going to pay more. Stop. ** -- hooshouse 09/20/2021 10:34AM
  They were? Then why hadn't they been? ** -- Hoodafan 09/20/2021 10:46AM
  This should help you: -- Hoodafan 09/20/2021 10:59AM
  Stop. You are parroting nonsense** -- 111Balz 09/20/2021 11:13AM
  IMO, you stand alone among foreign policy observers in thinking -- hoolstoptheheels 09/20/2021 10:25AM
  Upsetting China is the idea. This is purely about countering -- hoolstoptheheels 09/20/2021 08:54AM
  ^^ This is it -- exaclty ^^ ** -- Skeets 09/20/2021 10:54AM

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