The dispute began after the US embassy issued remarks concerning the death of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque, who was beaten to death during a confrontation reportedly involving hard-left activists.
The incident triggered public debate within France and was described by some as politically sensitive amid rising concerns about ideological violence. Diplomatic sources said the French Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned US ambassador Charles Kushner to explain comments.
However, the ambassador did not attend the meeting, prompting French officials to impose restrictions on his direct access to government representatives. A French diplomatic source said the ministry took the decision after failure to meet basic expectations of diplomatic conduct.
Authorities stated that while the ambassador could continue his diplomatic duties, he would no longer have direct meetings with French government members until the matter was resolved.
The US embassy and the State Department’s counterterrorism bureau had earlier expressed concern over rising radical leftist violence, urging that such incidents be treated as public safety threats. The statement was viewed in France as interference in domestic political discourse.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot later said the ambassador could regain full diplomatic access once he explains his absence from the summons and engages in discussions with the Foreign Ministry. He emphasised the need for normal diplomatic functioning between the two countries.