Australia had 'deep and grave' concerns about French submarines' capabilities, PM says - CNN

The decision by Australia to ditch the French deal and attain nuclear-powered submarines through a new agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom appeared to have taken France by surprise earlier this week.

French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said on Sunday that President Emmanuel Macron will hold a phone call with the US President Joe Biden in the next few days "to move forward."

Speaking to the France 2 TV channel on Saturday, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the decision to scrap the deal that had been in the works since 2016 amounted to a "crisis."

"There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt.

The company said Sunday it suspended its recruitment efforts in order to prioritize the needs of those affected by the contract coming to an end.

But Morrison defended the decision on Sunday, saying there had been concerns about the deal with France even before it was canceled.