‘#AmericaAlone’: France Grouped the US with North Korea and Russia at the UN, and the US Delegation Walked Out
France compared the U.S. to North Korea and Russia over its UN human rights vote — and the fallout escalated fast.
The United Nations Security Council meeting started off with some fireworks this week as France’s statements on the United States caused a literal walkout.
U.S. diplomats made a quick exit during France’s time at the microphone on Monday. Over the weekend, France had some choice words for the United States after it voted against Volker Türk’s reappointment as U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. The U.S. ambassador for United Nations management and reform, Jeff Bartos, didn’t pull any punches when he argued that Türk was leading the U.N.’s human rights operation “to its deathbed.”
In a tweet, France’s UN Mission addressed the vote directly: “The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore,” they wrote. “Today, it stands alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali & Russia, isolated. And the world no longer listens to it. #AmericaAlone”
The United States Of America Walks Out Of A United Nations Meeting
When the United States caught wind of the post, its ambassador fired back, accusing France of “coddling” human rights abusers. On social media, Waltz had to post a reply.
He said, “It is disappointing – though not surprising – that this is how France deflects on its shameful vote to coddle some of the worst human rights abusers. France voted for someone who has been lecturing, free, sovereign democracies like the United States, the UK, and Israel, while cozying up to the world’s worst oppressors.”
The U.S. has taken a firmer posture against EU allies and others who challenge its positions since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in early 2025. Public back-and-forth like this used to be rare — now it’s standard practice across multiple arms of the U.S. government. And the U.S. wasn’t done addressing the situation.
How Will The Situation Develop?
You saw a quick follow-up to the situation as Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Negrea, stepped up to the microphone. He delivered a long statement criticizing what he called France’s “grandstanding,” also taking aim at E5 allies who objected to the U.S. vote. Here’s what he said:
“This disingenuous grandstanding is tiresome, but we have tolerated it out of a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect as E5 members,” Negrea argued. “We have stood by this member state through every conflict in which their freedoms have been imperiled, and today I remind them that it is the United States that remains the beacon of liberty for the world.”
The deputy ambassador added, “As such, we will not be affording them the benefit of listening to their politicized drivel until they renounce their condescending and disrespectful rhetoric and behave in a manner commensurate with their seat on this counsel.”
France responded by pointing to its role in the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations. French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont noted that his country has been a longtime supporter of the U.S. Regardless, the exchange has clearly added fresh tension to an already strained relationship.
(Photo Credit: Image by Prayitno, CC BY 2.0.)
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