The US, Australia and the UK have signed a security pact. The three countries will share military technology and Australia will be assisted with nuclear submarines. This in turn harmed France, which actually thought it had reached the agreement. “Europe is left to its own devices,” says American correspondent Jan Postma.

The pact is called Aukus, an abbreviation of Australia, UK and US. “They were very enthusiastic about the announcement from the White House. Australia is now allowed to build nuclear submarines, Britain and America have done this before and now Australia is allowed to participate. The three countries will also share technology in the fields of artificial intelligence and cyber, the military technologies of the future.’

‘France is disappointed, they will build twelve electric submarines for and with Australia. It was a ninety billion dollar deal signed in 2016, and is the largest defense agreement ever in Australia. Europe is now left alone.’

With this step, the US seeks to strengthen its position in the Pacific. According to Biden, the pact is intended to address the dangers of the 21st century, and he of course means China, Postma said. “He hopes that China will now be superior to China in technology,” said the American correspondent, who wondered what consequences America’s view of Asia would have for NATO.

The EU was not notified

The United States, Britain and Australia did not notify the European Union that they were drawing up a new military alliance. The European Commission has asked the three countries for explanations regarding the security pact they agreed to on Wednesday, and will consult with EU countries on the consequences.

The announcement of the pact hit Brussels like a huge shock. The EU has also recently sought closer cooperation with Australia and other countries around the Pacific and Indian Oceans to counter China’s rise. Just hours before the three countries’ announcement, committee chair Ursula von der Leyen had revealed plans to do just that in her annual ‘speech from the throne’.

But the new Anglo-Saxon alliance has ‘no consequences for relations’ with the US, UK and Australia, the committee rejected. “Whether it’s foreign policy, trade or whatever.”

A committee spokesman would not answer questions about the consequences of the events for Brussels’ confidence in Washington, London and Canberra. The EU was also surprised by other recent American steps, such as withdrawing from Afghanistan.