Australia says will be patient rebuilding French ties

Morrison, speaking in Washington, said he would be patient in rebuilding ties with France.

Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke by telephone to smooth relations, however Morrison, who is in the United States for a series of meetings this week, said he had tried to arrange his own call with the French President but had not yet been successful.

Morrison said he understood France's disappointment and noted the cancellation of the submarine contract, initially valued at $40 billion and more recently at $60 billion, meant the issues were different to those between Washington and Paris, and they would take more time to work through.

Morrison said both the deal for Australia to establish a nuclear-powered submarine fleet and the new Australia, UK, U.S. tripartite security alliance (AUKUS) had received bipartisan support during his meetings with U.S. lawmakers and officials.