{"id":29785,"date":"2026-02-25T06:11:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T06:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/?p=29785"},"modified":"2026-02-25T06:11:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T06:11:48","slug":"france-restricts-the-us-ambassadors-access-to-officials-after-a-summons-no-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/?p=29785","title":{"rendered":"France restricts the US ambassador\u2019s access to officials after a summons no-show"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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US Ambassador Charles Kushner sent an embassy official in his place, his second time to skip a summons from the French Foreign Ministry.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner in New York City in 2022 [File: John Minchillo\/AP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>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\u00a0to explain comments<\/a>\u00a0made by the Trump administration following the recent killing of a French far-right activist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission and the honour of representing one\u2019s country, the minister (Jean-Noel Barrot) has requested that he (Ambassador Kushner) no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government,\u201d the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US ambassador can continue his diplomatic duties and have \u201cexchanges\u201d with officials, the ministry added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, 23, who was beaten to death in a fight with alleged far-left activists, in an incident that shocked France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of personally answering Barrot\u2019s summons, Kushner sent a senior official from the embassy in his place, citing personal commitments, AFP news agency reported, quoting an unnamed diplomatic source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Frank and amicable call\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Speaking Tuesday, Barrot described the failure to attend as \u201ca surprise\u201d that flew in the face of diplomatic protocol and will dent Kushner\u2019s ability to serve as an ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe must have an explanation with him,\u201d Barrot said, speaking to public broadcaster France Info. \u201cWe don\u2019t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen these explanations have taken place, then the US ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US Embassy in Paris later said in a statement that Kushner and Barrot \u201cspoke 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\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u2060<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His son Jared is married to Trump\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julien Jeanneney, a French public law professor and expert on the US Supreme Court, said Kushner and France\u2019s Foreign Ministry have been locked in a \u201cpower struggle\u201d since Kushner\u2019s letter on anti-Semitism was published.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe function of a diplomat is not to lecture the country where he is posted, at least not publicly,\u201d \u2060Jeanneney said. \u201cPublishing such a letter goes against basic diplomatic customs. And not responding to the summons from the foreign minister is \u2026 a sign of \u2060defiance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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