Tehan mounted a case to protect trade negotiations from the underwater dispute?

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Since the announcement of the new Aukus pact and its plan to develop nuclear-powered submarines in the United States or the United Kingdom, the Morrison government has struggled to control the diplomatic fallout from a rabid France.

French entrepreneur Naval Group accused Australia of breaking the $ 90 billion deal “out of convenience”, while the French foreign minister said “someone lied” because Australia had reassured France that the program was on the right track.

This week, Morrison’s predecessor as Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, called it a “dreadful episode” in Australia’s international affairs, suggesting that the government’s handling of the matter was “awkward, deceptive and costly “.
firmer comments on Friday, saying he wanted to “show great respect to my predecessors.” But the PM brushed aside one of Turnbull’s criticisms of the feasibility of Australia operating nuclear-powered submarines without a civilian nuclear industry.

“The idea that Australia must have a civilian nuclear power industry is phone number library not a requirement for us to go through the submarine program,” Morrison told reporters on Friday.

He said the government would “build on the great experience” of the Australian Organization for Nuclear Science and Technology and on Australia’s existing scientific capacity.

Morrison has yet to secure an appeal with French President Emmanuel Macron. An official at the Elysee Palace said this week that any future talks between the two leaders should be “seriously prepared” and have “substance”.

Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said on Friday his government wanted to be “the best friends we can be” with France. “They are much appreciated partners, but they are hurt,” Dutton told the Nine Network.