At least Bill White, U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Brussels, showed up when summoned by the foreign ministry over some undiplomatic interventions into Belgian politics.
His counterpart in Paris, Charles Kushner, on Monday snubbed a similar call, prompting France to cut off his contact with government officials. Calm was restored when the former real estate developer called Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday and said he aimed to avoid interfering in domestic affairs. France plans to restore Kushner’s access, according to people familiar with the matter.
“We don’t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, can invite themselves into the national political debate, whatever the circumstances,” Barrot said on France Info radio on Tuesday. “There is nothing more normal than summoning an ambassador when an explanation is needed.”