French submarine deal snub reflects Australia's need for better technology to counter China

The widening diplomatic spat over Australia’s canceled submarine deal with France highlighted a key strategic shift in the West, with the United States and its allies willing to snub a key European partner to counteract China’s aggression in the Pacific Ocean.

Australia’s decision to partner with the U.S. and U.K. over France also signaled its strategic view toward China has changed "very dramatically" since the contract was awarded in 2016, according to Ivo Daalder, who served as U.S. ambassador to NATO from 2009 to 2013. Relations with China have deteriorated over Beijing’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, actions in the South China Sea and efforts to control trade in the Pacific.

"Frankly, [Australia] wanted to bind the U.S. into the Pacific as well and this is another way to do that," Daalder told Fox News. "The strategic rationale for going with the UK-U.S. was much more significant than going with the French."

"The conventional subs were just not going to do the job," he added.