In a deal that angered France and China, the US revealed why it had concluded a nuclear submarine deal with Australia.

In a new chapter of tensions between the United States of America and Europe, the former announced an alliance with Britain and Australia to establish a security partnership in the Indian and Pacific Oceans called "Okus," including helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Following the completion of this tripartite partnership, the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, announced the cancellation of the massive agreement with France in 2016 to purchase diesel and electric submarines, explaining that his country had decided to build nuclear propulsion submarines with the assistance of Washington and London.

Morrison noted that he had informed French President Emmanuel Macron last June that there were real problems with the ability of conventional submarines to achieve Australia's security and strategic objectives in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

At a press conference for US and Australian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense, the US Secretary of State stressed that "the US will not abandon Australia in the face of Chinese practices."

For his part, the United States Secretary of Defense said: "We will help Australia acquire nuclear submarines to improve its defence capabilities."

The Australian Foreign Minister stressed that her country was working with Washington to identify common challenges and interests.

Australia justified the cancellation of the initial deal with the French now, emphasizing that the option of nuclear submarine technology offered by America had not been available at the time of the four-year deal with France.

In contrast, the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Laudrian, called Australia's position a "stab in the back," calling US President Joe Biden's decision to declare the triple alliance that led to the dissolution of Australia's contract to buy French submarines a "sudden unilateral decision" and much like Donald Trump's way.