France began doubting Australia's commitment to a $40 billion submarine order in June and President Emmanuel Macron was only informed by Canberra of the deal's collapse in writing hours before it was announced, a French presidency official said.
The official said there had been no hint of the contract cancellation when Macron met Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Paris in mid-June, shortly after a meeting of G7 leaders in Britain.
Canberra's move enraged Paris, triggering an unprecedented diplomatic crisis that analysts say could do lasting damage to U.S. alliances with France and Europe. It has also riled China, the major rising power in the Indo-Pacific region. "Morrison said nothing to suggest this and they agreed to continue working. The president later wrote at length to Morrison to address his concerns," the official continued.
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