The French may be enjoying a bit of Schadenfreude over the difficulties facing AUKUS at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped the Franco-British partnership from forging ahead.
“There is definitely a change,” said Maze-Sencier. “After Brexit, there was some resilience, but nothing moved forward. Now there are conversations happening that would have never happened a year ago.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s isolationist bent and his erratic view of the alliance has forced the British to consider the possibility that Washington may not be there through thick and thin. | Pool Photo by Will Oliver via EPA
France’s military-industrial cooperation with Britain is thriving — just as projects with France’s great continental partner Germany, particularly the FCAS fighter jet, are bogged down. New defense exports, including military aviation components, are expected to be folded into the refreshed defense pact on Thursday.
And last month’s NATO commitment to invest up to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product in defense, a move both to appease Trump and strengthen Europe’s independence, means financial windfalls for European companies, even if finding the cash may not be so easy in Paris and London.
Challenges await
While working more closely with the French marks a return to old habits, convincing London to invest in its relationship with Paris at the expense of Washington is an enormous ask considering just how deep Anglo-American ties run.
And points of tension remain between the British and French that can’t be papered over by Macron and Starmer’s close relationship.