US President Donald Trump has placed his relatives in key positions within the American administration. His in-law Charles Kushner is the US ambassador to France, while his son Jared Kushner has been Trump's senior advisor. However, blending family ties and diplomacy can lead to complications, as Trump finds himself entangled in a dilemma.
This has escalated into a diplomatic standoff between the US and France. The French Foreign Minister stated that the top US diplomat in France must respond to a summons and refrain from meeting with French government officials until doing so. The US diplomat in question is Charles Kushner, Trump's in-law.
Why the Tension?
The dispute began when America issued a public statement on a French domestic matter. In Lyon, France, a 23-year-old right-wing activist, Quentin Deranque, tragically died, reportedly at the hands of leftist extremists.
The US State Department's Counter-Terrorism Bureau, echoing sentiments from the American embassy in Paris, released a statement. Last week, the Bureau tweeted, "Violent radical leftism is on the rise in France, and Deranque's death highlights its threat to public safety."
Source: aajtak
The Paris US embassy also conveyed this message in French.
Unable to Serve as Ambassador
France's government deemed the US's comments interference in its internal affairs and politically motivated. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot rejected using the tragedy for political gain, recognizing it as a moment of mourning for a French family.
Barrot mentioned the need for a conversation with Kushner about his remarks.
On Tuesday, Minister Barrot criticized the absence of Ambassador Charles Kushner, calling it "surprising" and against diplomatic norms. He noted its potential impact on Kushner's ability to serve as ambassador.
Speaking to public broadcaster France Info, Barrot remarked, "Clearly, this will affect his capacity to fulfill his mission in our country."
This Is Unacceptable...
Barrot stressed, "We require explanations from them." "We cannot accept foreign interference in our national political debate."
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the spat with Kushner should not affect broader US-France relations.
France's Minister stated, "Kushner is complicating matters for himself because, as an ambassador, he needs access to government members to perform his duties. It's a matter of basic etiquette."
He emphasized that summoning an ambassador for explanations is routine, "and they must explain themselves." "Once this clarification is made, the US ambassador in France will undoubtedly regain access to French government members."
The US embassy did not respond to the Associated Press's comment request before Monday's scheduled meeting, nor did they immediately reply to follow-up inquiries on Tuesday.
France's Foreign Minister declared that "not being present is their personal responsibility."
A Similar Incident Last Year
Last August, a similar situation arose when France summoned Kushner over a letter addressed to President Emmanuel Macron. In it, Kushner accused France of insufficiently combating anti-Semitism. The Foreign Ministry rejected his claims.
Back then, Kushner also avoided responding to the summons and instead sent his deputy to address the matter.
