French Companies Told to Comply with American Diversity Bans
France Calls US Interference ‘Unacceptable’
PARIS, March 29 (Reuters) – Some French companies with contracts with the U.S. government have been directed by the Trump administration to comply with an executive order that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The move serves to illustrate the wide-reaching impact of U.S. policy and its potential effects on European corporate architecture.
Those companies have been instructed to certify their compliance in a letter titled “Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law,” a copy of which Reuters has obtained. Since President Donald Trump was sworn into office on January 20, his “America First” policies have increased economic and political tensions between Europe and the U.S.
The compliance survey has raised concerns about how firms affected will have to change policies to reconcile U.S. and French regulatory subtleties. While U.S. companies directly have DEI policies—tracking race and ethnicity data and setting diversity goals—French regulations focus on a secular strategy that excludes such practice. French laws concentrate on gender and socioeconomic diversity and limit information collection on racial or ethnic status.
This followed speculation among European business communities that the Trump administration is bringing its opposition to DEI policies to an international level. The move follows previous trade and security policies that have shaken transatlantic ties.
French financial daily Les Echos first broke the news of the U.S. directive on Friday evening, stating that the U.S. embassy in Paris had disseminated the mandate to a number of firms.
Widening Use of the Executive Order
The executive order, per a letter provided to French daily Le Figaro and seen by Reuters, applies universally to service providers and suppliers working with the U.S. government irrespective of nationality or geography.
“We wish to inform you that Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunities, issued by President Trump, applies to all service providers and suppliers of the U.S.”. Government, regardless of their nationality and place of operation,” the letter goes on. “We would be grateful if you could sign and fill in the document in English within five working days and return it to us by email. If you do not sign this document, we would be thankful if you would provide full reasons, which we will forward to our legal services.”
An embassy spokesman for the U.S. did not answer requests for comment immediately.
U.S. Interference Criticized by French Officials
We do not know if the businesses that were being sent the letter were selected by their presence in the U.S. Individuals with knowledge of the matter stated that Orange (ORAN.PA), a state-owned French telephone company with no presence in the U.S., was sent the letter. On the other hand, Thales (TCFP.PA) defense electronics and Total Energies (TTEF.PA), a big oil firm—both U.S. players—indicated that they had not received such approaches. Orange declined to comment.
France’s Foreign Trade Ministry publicly condemned the U.S. decree.
US interference with the policy of inclusion by French companies, and threats of unjustified tariffs, are not acceptable,” the ministry said in a message to Reuters. “France and Europe will defend their businesses, their consumers, but also their values.”
It is not known whether the same kind of compliance request has been directed to other European companies.
