Biden: Handling of AUKUS nuclear submarine deal was ‘clumsy’

carleyshaffer1October 29, 2021

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Joe Biden (L) meet at the French Embassy to the Vatican in Rome on October 29, 2021. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 2:21 PM PT – Friday, October 29, 2021

Joe Biden admitted he made a mistake when taking a multi-lateral nuclear powered submarine deal with America’s longest standing ally, France.

Speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, Biden claimed he handled the situation “clumsily.” The U.S., U.K. and Australia announced the agreement in September, which aims to help Australia develop nuclear submarines.

France, who was negotiating a similar deal with Australia, recalled its ambassadors from the U.S. and Australia in efforts to protest what they claimed was a betrayal.

I had a great meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon. The United States has no older, no more loyal, no more decent ally than France. They’ve been with us from the beginning — and we will always be there for them. pic.twitter.com/3hKzqDrkfQ

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 29, 2021

Biden added he didn’t know what was going on.

“I was under the impression that France had been informed long before that the deal was not going through. I honest to God didn’t know you [France] had not been,” said Biden.

Biden affirmed America remains committed to working with France on international issues and said “I want to be in the same war, on France’s side.”