EU: Technology Council maintained with Washington despite Paris' anger

The European Union confirmed Thursday, September 23, the continuation of discussions on trade and technologies scheduled for next week with the United States, despite the diplomatic crisis triggered by the breach of a contract for the sale of French submarines.

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Paris raised doubts about a possible postponement of the Pittsburg Trade and Technology Council scheduled for September 29, in response to the AUKUS pact sealed between Australia, Britain and the United States, effectively breaking a multi-billion dollar contract at the expense of France. But Brussels announced that the meeting would take place, the day after a telephone exchange that was to ease tensions between French President Emmanuel Macron and his American counterpart Joe Biden.

"Strategic alliances are made to build common visions but also to overcome difficulties"

tweeted Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Trade.

The European Union showed solidarity with France after its ambassador was recalled to Washington, but many of its member countries were concerned about escalating tensions that could undermine relations with the Biden administration.

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The Trade and Technology Council between the EU and the United States was set up at a summit last June, with the aim of agreeing on the regulatory strategies of the digital giants and of defending democratic values ​​on the Internet.

A request from Europeans after years of tensions in transatlantic trade cooperation under the presidency of Donald Trump.