US, France signal effort to steady ties after ambassador dispute over right-wing activist’s death

U.S. and French officials said Tuesday they were working to stabilize relations after a diplomatic flare-up that led France to restrict U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s access to senior government officials.

The U.S. Embassy in France told Fox News Digital that the two sides remain in contact following the dispute sparked by U.S. government social media posts regarding the killing of a French activist earlier this month.

“Ambassador Kushner and Foreign Minister Barrot, who met regularly during his tenure, spoke today in a frank and friendly call, reaffirming their shared commitment to working together, with all other French ministers and officials, on the many issues affecting the United States and France, particularly as the two countries celebrate 250 years of rich diplomatic relations,” the statement said.

The reports suggest the two governments are seeking to contain the fallout from a clash that briefly raised questions about diplomatic protocol and political sensitivities between two of NATO’s closest allies.

U.S. and French officials said Tuesday they were working to stabilize relations after a diplomatic flare-up that led France to restrict U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s access to senior government officials. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)

France had decided to limit Kushner’s access to senior officials after he failed to appear at a summons to the French Foreign Ministry following comments published by official US government accounts following the death of 23-year-old activist Quentin Deranque, killed during clashes between far-left and far-right groups in Lyon earlier this month.

The Associated Press reported that Deranque, described as a far-right activist and staunch nationalist, was beaten during the clash and later died from brain injuries suffered in the attack.

In a February 19 article on » The American Embassy in France then shared this statement on its official account.

France had decided to limit Kushner’s access to senior officials after he failed to appear at a summons to the French Foreign Ministry following remarks published by official US government accounts following the death of 23-year-old activist Quentin Deranque, killed during clashes between far-left and far-right groups in Lyon earlier this month. (Olivier Chassignole/AFP via Getty Images)

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the comments an unwelcome intrusion into the French domestic political debate and said Kushner’s absence from the Quai d’Orsay “will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.” He called the no-show a “surprise,” saying ambassadors are expected to follow “the most basic diplomatic practices” when summoned.

“We have no lessons to learn in terms of maintaining order or public order when it comes to violence, and we have no lessons to learn from the reactionary international, period,” Barrot said in an interview with public broadcaster France Info.

Although Tuesday’s call between Kushner and Barrot indicates that both sides are trying to prevent an escalation of the disagreement, the episode played out against a broader backdrop of periodic tensions in transatlantic relations.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the comments an unwelcome intrusion into the French domestic political debate and said Kushner’s absence from the Quai d’Orsay “will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.” (Thierry Monassé/Getty Images)

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France has at times argued for greater European “strategic autonomy” in defense and foreign policy — an approach that may diverge from Washington’s priorities, especially as President Donald Trump has pressed NATO allies to increase their defense spending and align more closely with U.S. strategic goals. Trade has also been a recurring sticking point in recent years, with tariff disputes between the United States and the European Union periodically affecting French exports.

Despite these differences, France remains one of Washington’s closest security partners in Europe, cooperating widely on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and NATO operations. Diplomatic access to senior officials plays a central role in coordinating these efforts, making even symbolic restrictions notable.

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