Economic Diplomacy, an Innovative Force of the French–Australian Relationship

Abstract

Before being strengthened by a strategic and political partnership, the French–Australian bilateral relationship was primarily supported by the economic interests of its business communities. French and Australian commercial ambitions have led the two countries to support their national economic interests in a foreign market by further involving public and private actors. Therefore, the French–Australian relationship has been a blueprint for the development of the economic diplomacies of Paris and Canberra. This chapter critically analyses both Australia’s and France’s definitions and methods of implementation of the concept of economic diplomacy and the positive impact their economic diplomacy approaches have had on their bilateral relationship. Paris and Canberra have been in strong opposition for more than a decade on multilateral agreements pertaining to agricultural trade, France leading the CAP and Australia the Cairns Group. This antagonism has now partly disappeared, and the two countries share a common understanding and aspiration for the regulation of economic globalisation. France’s commitment to support the negotiations of the EU–Australia FTA constitutes a demonstration of France’s engagement in its partnership with Canberra.