US Ambassador Charles Kushner sent an embassy official in his place, his second time to skip a summons from the French Foreign Ministry.
France has banned United States Ambassador Charles Kushner from meeting French government ministers, after he failed to attend a meeting at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris to explain comments made by the Trump administration following the recent killing of a French far-right activist.
The French Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Monday as diplomatic relations between Paris and Washington continue to deteriorate amid several disagreements, including on trade tariffs, the war in Ukraine, and the role of Europe in countering Russia.
“In light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission and the honour of representing one’s country, the minister (Jean-Noel Barrot) has requested that he (Ambassador Kushner) no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The US ambassador can continue his diplomatic duties and have “exchanges” with officials, the ministry added.
Foreign Minister Barrot summoned Kushner after the US embassy in Paris reposted on Sunday comments by the Trump administration in Washington about the death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, 23, who was beaten to death in a fight with alleged far-left activists, in an incident that shocked France.
Instead of personally answering Barrot’s summons, Kushner sent a senior official from the embassy in his place, citing personal commitments, AFP news agency reported, quoting an unnamed diplomatic source.
‘Frank and amicable call’
Speaking Tuesday, Barrot described the failure to attend as “a surprise” that flew in the face of diplomatic protocol and will dent Kushner’s ability to serve as an ambassador.
“We must have an explanation with him,” Barrot said, speaking to public broadcaster France Info. “We don’t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate.
“When these explanations have taken place, then the US ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government,” he added.
The US Embassy in Paris later said in a statement that Kushner and Barrot “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”.
A property mogul with no previous diplomatic experience, Kushner, 71, served a federal US jail sentence for illegal campaign contributions and tax evasion, but was pardoned by Trump in 2020.
His son Jared is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka. Kushner landed with a bang in Paris, writing an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron weeks after his arrival in which he accused France of not doing enough to tackle anti-Semitism.
Julien Jeanneney, a French public law professor and expert on the US Supreme Court, said Kushner and France’s Foreign Ministry have been locked in a “power struggle” since Kushner’s letter on anti-Semitism was published.
“The function of a diplomat is not to lecture the country where he is posted, at least not publicly,” Jeanneney said. “Publishing such a letter goes against basic diplomatic customs. And not responding to the summons from the foreign minister is … a sign of defiance.”
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‘No lessons to learn.’
The original posts on social media that angered the French government, and were later shared by the US embassy, were made by the US State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, saying the killing of Deranque “should concern us all”.
The post further warned against the rise of “violent radical leftism” in France and its role in Deranque’s death, saying it “demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety”.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and expect to see the perpetrators of violence brought to justice,” it added.
Barrot reacted angrily to the US administration’s comments, saying France did not need a lecture.
“We have no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement,” he said, as he announced he summoned Kushner for the meeting on Monday.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also weighed in on Deranque’s death, triggering a war of words with Macro,n who urged her to stop “commenting on what happens in other countries”.
Reference Link:- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/24/france-restricts-us-ambassadors-access-to-officials-after-summons-no-show