Emmanuel Macron must get over his Aukus sulk – before it's too late

When the Aukus trilateral security pact was signed between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom in September 2021, Emmanuel Macron was furious. France’s president took Australia’s decision to terminate France’s ‘contract of the century’ to supply diesel-powered submarines to Canberra personally.

The French have since declared the incident officially closed, although Macron – as he is wont to do – still bears a grudge. But as Aukus’ importance increases – and the alliance morphs into something that could shape the West’s coordinated response to regional strategic threats – it’s time for Macron to bury the hatchet.

For now, Macron’s reluctance to forgive and forget is proving problematic. Any association, or even mention of Aukus in official circles, is eschewed, despite greater pragmatism in the French Foreign Ministry. As the foremost defence power in the EU with a serious Indo-Pacific strategy, the Elysée is cutting off its nose to spite its face, for France has an important role to play in an expanding Aukus.