Great Britain, the United States and Australia, united at the expense of Europe?

            Two weeks earlier, in Washington DC, President Joe Biden, along with his British and Australian counterparts Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison, presented the AUKUS trilateral defence partnership "in security, cyber defence, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to counter China's influence".[1]. In addition to "binding America's current allies and partners together" in the Atlantic and Pacific (Joe Biden), it is a matter of "working together to preserve security and stability in the Indo-Pacific", as well as "helping Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines" (Boris Johnson)[2]. For his part, Scott Morrison will specify where the submarines will be built (Adelaide, Australia) in collaboration with the British and the Americans, and will point out that "Australia is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons or a civilian nuclear capability".[3].

            Like China, France expressed its anger at the announcement of this partnership, and its discontent spread like wildfire across Europe. Indeed, in 2016, Australia had signed a contract with the French naval industry to acquire 12 conventionally powered submarines[4]. The announcement of the AUKUS partnership caused the cancellation of the Australian contract with France, resulting in a loss of 56 billion euros for France.[5]. Several European countries were already expressing concern about their place as US allies in NATO, working on deeper strategic autonomy[6]. France was keen to recall its role and presence in the Indo-Pacific, notably with President Biden and Australian Prime Minister Morrison, and even with their partners such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi[7].

            Even the European Union expressed concern, especially as the announcement of the creation of the AUKUS came on the eve of the presentation of the European Union's (EU) Indo-Pacific Strategy in Brussels[8].

            However, a close look at the content and context of the AUKUS partnership shows that it is merely a continuation of the relationship between the US, Britain and Australia. It should be recalled that the three countries are linked by numerous other security and defence agreements, including theFive Eyes"including Canada and New Zealand[9]. In addition, Britain is working to increase its presence in the world, as part of 'Global Britain', and its membership of the AUKUS partnership already shows a geopolitical success for London[10]. The AUKUS partnership was mainly to the detriment of France, which also had a partnership strategy for the Indo-Pacific area (Paris-New Delhi-Canberra axis)[11].

            Like the USA, Great Britain and Australia, the European Union remains committed to the Indo-Pacific region, but in the economic field. The European strategy is based on several projects, including free trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, and partnership agreements with Malaysia and Thailand.[12]. The Europeans also want to establish themselves in the Indo-Pacific through other partnerships, which concern ocean management, digital technology, climate change, as well as research and health[13]. Indeed, the region represents for Europe "12,000 billion euros of annual investment, twice as much as the United States", and is "the European Union's second largest export market".[14]. As Josep Borell points out, while not neglecting the security field, the "European Union has a very important role to play.European strategic autonomy". remains mainly economic[15]. In the field of defence, EU member states remain divided, not least to maintain their vital relationship with the United States[16].

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