White House says Biden-Macron call was friendly

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Speaking of the aforementioned drama involving the U.S., Australia and France, the White House says President Joe Biden had a "friendly call" with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Wednesday.

This, after the submarine deal that sent relations between the longtime allies into a tailspin.

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White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki:

In terms of the tone of the call: It was friendly. It was one where - we're hopeful and the President is hopeful this is a step in returning to normal in a long, important, abiding relationship that the United States has with France.

But part of the - and during the conversation, the President reaffirmed the strategic importance of France - French and European engagement, I should say, in the Indo-Pacific region - something that we look forward to continuing to work with them on.