France is recalling its ambassadors to the United States and Australia for consultations, in protest at a major defence deal which also includes the UK.

A new alliance between Australia, the US and the UK, known as Aukus, will see Australia being given the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines, scuppering a multibillion-dollar deal France had signed with Australia.

The agreement is widely seen as an effort to counter China’s influence in the contested South China Sea. It was announced on Wednesday by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.

France was informed of the alliance only hours before the public announcement was made.

A White House official said the Biden administration regretted the move and would engage with France in the coming days to resolve their differences.

A recall of ambassadors is highly unusual between allies, and it is believed to be the first time France has recalled envoys from the two countries. French diplomats in Washington had already cancelled a gala to celebrate ties between the US and France which was scheduled for Friday.