France retracts criticism of US human rights record to resolve diplomatic dispute

France has backed down in a diplomatic fight with the US, expressing regret for publicly questioning Washington’s commitment to human rights after the dispute threatened to derail Paris’ choice of ambassador.

The spat began in July, when France’s mission to the UN in Geneva attacked the US for joining Russia, North Korea and several other countries in voting against another term for Volker Turk, the Austrian diplomat who serves as the UN high commissioner for human rights.

“The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore,” the French mission wrote at the time, adding that “the world no longer listens to it.”

Washington responded angrily, with the US delegation demonstratively walking out while France was speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine, and accusing Paris of “disingenuous grandstanding” and “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”

Reuters later reported that the Trump administration was also considering delaying or blocking French President Emmanuel Macron’s nominee for ambassador to Washington.

Two months later, Paris has changed its tune.

“The Permanent Mission of France to the UN in Geneva regrets the 25 July 2026 message posted on X that called into question the US commitment to human rights,” the mission said in a statement published on Friday.

It went on to praise the US as one of the architects of the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stressing that the two countries remain historic allies committed to “freedom, democracy, and human dignity.”

The US State Department welcomed the statement, saying Washington “notes and appreciates” France’s position.

The episode comes after months of worsening relations between Paris and Washington. Macron has repeatedly questioned whether the US remains a reliable ally, warned other countries against becoming Washington’s “vassals,” and opposed the US-led war against Iran.

He has also clashed with the Trump administration over tariffs, NATO, online speech, and American sanctions on European officials, asserting that Washington’s unpredictable policies are forcing other countries to seek greater independence from the US.

Relations became particularly strained in February after Washington accused France of failing to confront “violent radical leftism” following the killing of a right-wing activist. Trump has also repeatedly accused European governments of freeloading on American security while restricting free speech and obstructing his foreign-policy agenda.