The incident reflects broader tensions between the Trump administration and some European governments over U.S. commentary on domestic European affairs, with France particularly objecting to what it views as foreign interference in its politics.
The U.S. ambassador to France worked Tuesday to resolve a diplomatic row with Paris, telephoning Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot after missing a scheduled government meeting. Ambassador Charles Kushner and Barrot agreed to meet in coming days, according to Kushner’s office.
The Disputed Statements
France had summoned Kushner, the father of White House adviser Jared Kushner, to explain Trump administration comments about the death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist who was beaten to death earlier this month in Lyon during clashes between far-left and far-right groups.
The State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau posted on X that “violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.” The U.S. Embassy in Paris shared the same statement in French.
Tensions Escalate
When Kushner did not appear for a Monday night meeting, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the no-show would naturally harm the ambassador’s ability to serve in France. “For an ambassador to be able to do his job he needs access to members of the government. That’s the basics,” Barrot told France Info.
De-escalation Begins
After Kushner’s call on Tuesday, Barrot’s office said the ambassador “expressed his willingness not to interfere in our public debate, and recalled the friendship that binds France and the United States.”
Kushner’s office said in a statement that the two “spoke today in a frank and amicable call, reaffirming their shared commitment to working together, along with all other ministers and French officials, on the many issues that impact the United States and France, particularly as the two countries celebrate 250 years of rich diplomatic relations.”
Barrot had said earlier that the no-show, while Kushner’s personal responsibility, “does not affect the relationship between France and the United States in any way.” The Paris government views the State Department tweets as unwelcome U.S. commentary on French domestic politics. “We don’t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate,” Barrot said.
A Recurring Tension
Tensions between Kushner and the French government are not new. Last August, Paris summoned him to explain a letter he sent to President Emmanuel Macron alleging France was not doing enough to combat antisemitism. The foreign ministry called his allegations “unacceptable.” Kushner did not respond to that summons but instead sent his deputy.