France will summon US Ambassador Charles Kushner to protest comments by the Trump administration regarding the beating death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the State Department's characterization of the incident as "instrumentalization of this tragedy" for political ends. The diplomatic spat escalates tensions between the allies during a period of already strained transatlantic relations.

Deranque died of brain injuries after clashes between far-right and far-left supporters in Lyon. The US State Department claimed he was killed by left-wing militants while French authorities have charged seven people with intentional homicide. The case has highlighted deep political divisions ahead of next year's presidential election in France, with thousands marching in Lyon to pay tribute to the deceased activist.

This marks Kushner's second summons to the French Foreign Ministry, following a 2025 letter to Macron about antisemitism. Barrot also plans to discuss US sanctions against French officials Thierry Breton and Nicolas Guillou, which he called "unjustified and unjustifiable." The growing diplomatic friction threatens transatlantic cooperation on multiple fronts, potentially affecting business and economic relations between the two nations.