It’s clear as day that, amidst aspirations grand, the US dreams of superpower status. This time it’s not only about exercising its military or economic muscles. This time it’s about something far more sinister and nefarious. US is now in a bid to takeover a French based company, owned by Canada.
That’s right. The US is taking over a French company owned by Canada that sells nuclear submarine parts. But why is this so? The official story is that it’s all business. But, let’s be honest, this is all about grabbing control of French nuclear submarines, which are recognised for having superior capabilities to AUKUS.
France is perturbed
And, obviously, the French government is displeased. They are concerned about their own industrial sovereignty and the loss of nuclear submarine technology. However, the United States is unfazed. They are determined to become a superpower at whatever cost, and if that involves taking over a French corporation in order to obtain the technology, so be it.
The French government wants to keep nuclear-submarine parts supplier Segault out of American hands at a time when France and the United States are at odds over the Inflation Reduction Act, a $369 billion package of green subsidies and tax breaks that Paris and Brussels have slammed as a protectionist move in violation of global trade rules.
Tensions between the two countries have risen and fallen in recent years, reaching alarming levels in 2021, when the US snatched away a multibillion-euro submarine contract negotiated by Paris with Canberra.
Read More: How France outshined USA on every front possible
The American takeover of the France-based company is now proving to be a litmus test for France’s economic sovereignty ambitions. In a deal revealed earlier this year, Segault’s present owner, Canada’s industrial valves business Velan, will be acquired by American industrial machinery major Flowserve. Segault manufactures industrial valves for France’s flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and supplies components for nuclear-powered submarines produced by state-owned shipyard Naval Group. If the transaction goes through, Segault will be under American ownership, increasing fears in Paris that Washington may gain access to critical French technology.
In recent weeks, the purchase has become an extremely contentious political issue, with right-wing MPs asking Le Maire to prevent the American buyer and a surprising left-wing contender appearing as a bidder.
Now is the time for Paris to show its muscle and use its veto power to prevent America from taking over.
US eyeing Global dominance
But let us take a moment to step back and ask ourselves why the United States is so desperate to become a superpower. To spread democracy and freedom? To alleviate global poverty or to combat climate change? No, it’s merely a desire to be number one. In this circumstance, having the best nuclear submarines is essential.
It is no secret that the United States already possesses the world’s greatest military budget, outspending the next ten countries combined. Despite this, they continue to pump money into their military industrial complex in the pursuit of global dominance.
I’m not arguing that the United States shouldn’t have a robust military or aim for technological supremacy. But there is a distinction to be made between a responsible global leader and a reckless superpower. And I am afraid that the United States is falling in the latter category.
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