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France's Ambassador Jean-Pierre Thebault before departure from Australia
Photo: David Gray / AP
In the world of diplomacy, it is a public sign of the greatest annoyance: the ambassador's recall to his home country.
France has convened two of its diplomats for consultations in Paris - the ambassador in Australia and the ambassador in the USA.
The reason is an agreement between Australia and the USA on the purchase of submarines - which at the same time buries a billion-dollar armaments deal between Australia and France.
The French ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, was very annoyed on the Saturday before his departure: "I think a big mistake has been made here, a very, very bad approach to a partnership," he told journalists.
"It wasn't about a contract, it was about a partnership that should be based on trust, mutual understanding and openness."
The US and Australia are now trying to appease.
"France is an important partner and our oldest ally, and we place great value on our relationships," said the US State Department.
It is hoped to be able to continue the discussion on the subject in the coming days.
It is the first time in the history of US-French relations that Paris has called its ambassador back from Washington.
Such a move is even more unusual among allies.
It's about more than an armaments deal
US State Department spokesman Ned Price expressed understanding for the trouble in Paris.
Price spoke of the hope of being able to discuss the matter with France at the general debate at the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby admitted that phone calls between Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his French colleague Florence Parly had shown "that there is still much to be done in our defense relationship with France."
Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said of the dispute with France that "very difficult issues are now to be dealt with".
Australia will continue to work "constructively and closely" with France.
From the point of view of France and the EU, it is not just a question of a failed arms deal, but the fundamental question of a strategic partnership.
On Thursday, Australia, Great Britain and the United States announced an Indo-Pacific security pact out of concerns about China's strength.
Among other things, it provides for Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines using technology from the two partners.
This meant that the delivery of conventional submarines with a volume of 56 billion euros agreed with the French shipping company Naval Group in 2016 became obsolete.
Only 15 days ago, the defense and foreign ministers of France and Australia emphasized the importance of this submarine program in a joint communiqué.
Beijing is also upset
Meanwhile, Malaysia expressed concern about the new arms treaty, according to which Australia will build eight nuclear-powered submarines instead of France's conventional submarines.
"This will provoke other powers to act more aggressively in the region, especially in the South China Sea," said the prime minister's office with a view to China.
The leadership in Beijing has already reacted and described the new Indo-Pacific Pact of the three Western states as "extremely irresponsible".
This would undermine regional peace and stability.
China is also trying to expand its influence in the region by creating military bases.
It is about territorial claims in the South China Sea.
For its part, the US is trying to curb China's influence and strengthen its own position.
The new security pact also provides for the US to expand its military presence in Australia.
France also sees itself as a great power in the Indo-Pacific because of its overseas territories such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
Foreign Minister Le Drian had accused the government in Canberra of "stabbing" Paris.
US President Joe Biden, who has declared rivalry with China to be the top issue in his foreign policy, made a "brutal" decision based on the motto of his predecessor Donald Trump - "America first".
On Saturday, Le Drian again spoke of “unacceptable behavior among allies and partners”.
mmq / Reuters / AFP