Key facts
- The U.S. is delaying the approval of Aurélien Lechevallier, France's nominee for ambassador to Washington.
- The delay stems from a dispute over France's criticism of the U.S. stance on a UN human rights mandate renewal.
- France's UN mission stated the U.S. is no longer a beacon of human rights.
- The U.S. State Department called the French mission's rhetoric 'irresponsible and disrespectful'.
- The U.S. had previously voted against the renewal of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' mandate.
The United States is reportedly holding up the approval of France's nominee for ambassador to Washington, Aurélien Lechevallier, due to a diplomatic spat over human rights. The delay, which is unusual between allied nations, follows a critical social media post by France's mission to the U.N. in Geneva. The mission criticized the U.S. for siding with Russia and North Korea against the renewal of the mandate for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stating, "The U.S. used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore."
The U.S. Department of State responded by calling the rhetoric "irresponsible and disrespectful" and indicated they are "responding appropriately." This incident underscores the complex and sometimes strained relationship between the U.S. and France, despite public displays of camaraderie between Presidents Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron. The dispute comes amid broader disagreements on issues such as NATO, Ukraine, and trade.
Lechevallier, a close ally of Macron and his former classmate, was expected to take office next month. While some hope the dispute will blow over, others view the U.S. action as "staggering" and "humiliating." The French foreign ministry has declined to comment publicly, but has not retracted its criticism of the U.S. human rights record. The situation also involves past tensions, including criticism of U.S. actions in Venezuela and trade tariffs, and past issues involving U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner.