PARIS: France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, expressed disappointment on Tuesday after US envoy Charles Kushner did not attend a scheduled meeting to discuss remarks about a murdered far-right activist. Despite this diplomatic hiccup, Barrot assured that France’s relations with the United States remain strong.
Kushner was called to meet Barrot after the US embassy in Paris shared statements from the Donald Trump administration condemning “terrorism” and leftist violence in the wake of the death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist. Deranque lost his life due to head injuries sustained during clashes between radical-left and far-right groups at a protest in Lyon.
Barrot voiced his surprise at Kushner’s absence, stating that it was important for the envoy to respect diplomatic customs. “We were hoping for a conversation,” he commented on France Info.
This isn’t the first time Kushner has faced criticism; he previously accused France of not doing enough to combat antisemitism. Last year, he also skipped a meeting summoned by the French ministry, sending another official instead. As a result, France has now limited his access to government ministers.
Kushner, a businessman and former attorney, has had a controversial past, including time spent in prison for tax evasion and other charges, before being pardoned by Trump in 2020. Barrot emphasized that while this incident would not jeopardize Franco-American relations, it might hinder Kushner’s ability to perform his duties in France.
Questions arose about whether Kushner might be declared persona non grata, but Barrot did not confirm this option. Similarly, Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly, stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue while standing firm against external influences in French politics.
While a diplomatic source indicated Kushner had “personal commitments” that prevented his attendance, former US ambassador Charles Shapiro noted that traditional diplomatic protocol requires responses to such summits.
Trump, in December 2024, defended Kushner’s appointment as ambassador to France, referring to him as a family member taking on the role, which reflects Trump’s tendency to select loyal figures for important positions.
