Paris (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Trump administration has issued a letter to French firms with U.S. government contracts, demanding their adherence to an executive order that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Reuters reported.
The companies have been asked to verify their compliance through a separate questionnaire titled
“Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law.”
Reuters noted.
According to experts, the documents will spark worries in European boardrooms that the Trump administration is intensifying its battle against DEI overseas, at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions on tariffs and security ties have shifted trans-Atlantic relations.
The French business newspaper Les Echos, which first disclosed the letter’s existence late Friday, reported that the document was sent to companies by the U.S. embassy in Paris.
A source connected to French Finance Minister Eric Lombard stated that the issue will be addressed with the U.S. government.
“This practice represents the values of the new U.S. administration, which differ from our own. The minister will highlight this to his U.S. counterparts,”
the source explained. Trump aims to eliminate DEI initiatives, which he and other critics argue are discriminatory, from both government and the private sector.
What is DEI?
In simple terms, it is a broad term used for various initiatives designed to help individuals from all backgrounds, including historically marginalised groups, to establish themselves and succeed within organisations.
The term’s origins date to the 1960s in the US, referring to programmes addressing discrimination related to gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability. These measures have long acted as a counter to the biases that persist in so-called colour-blind and meritocratic societies, as Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, mentioned.
Lawmakers from over 30 states quickly responded to Trump’s actions, stating in a letter first reported by USA Today that the US had long been historically strengthened by inclusive measures. These efforts include expanding voting rights and allowing women to open bank accounts independently.
“Anti-DEI rhetoric and policy goals are dangerous, destructive, and discriminatory,”
the letter noted.
“Ultimately, they erect barriers to our American dreams.”
