A French government official has accused U.S. diplomats of meddling in the operations of French businesses. This comes after a letter, reportedly sent by the U.S. Embassy in Paris, suggested that President Donald Trump’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives might extend beyond American borders.
According to French media, the letter, received by several prominent French companies, was signed by a U.S. State Department officer stationed at the Paris embassy. The U.S. Embassy did not respond to inquiries from The Associated Press over the weekend. The daily newspaper Le Figaro published what it claimed was a copy of the controversial letter.
The document stated that an executive order signed by Trump in January, which terminated DEI programs within the federal government, also “applies to all suppliers and service providers of the U.S. Government, regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate.”
The letter requested recipients to fill out and return a certification form within five days, confirming compliance with the new directive. As published by Le Figaro, the form required contractors to certify that they do not operate any programs promoting DEI that would violate applicable anti-discrimination laws. It included a checkbox for companies to confirm that they “do not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.”
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The letter further requested that companies unable or unwilling to sign the document provide detailed reasons, which would be forwarded to U.S. legal services.
Aurore Bergé, France’s Minister for Equality between Women and Men and Combating Discrimination, described the letter as “a form, obviously, of interference. It’s an attempt to impose a diktat on our businesses.” Speaking on BFMTV, she assured that the French government is monitoring the situation closely and is currently assessing how many businesses received the letter.
Bergé added that several companies have informed the government they do not intend to respond to what they perceive as an ultimatum from the U.S. Embassy. “It’s out of the question that we’ll prevent our business from promoting social progress,” the minister stated. “Thankfully, a lot of French companies don’t plan to change their rules.”
The Ripple Effect
- Impact on French Businesses: French companies may face pressure to alter their diversity policies, potentially affecting workplace culture and inclusivity.
- International Business Relations: This development could strain diplomatic and economic relations between France and the United States.
- Legal Ramifications: Businesses might need to navigate complex legal environments if forced to comply with foreign mandates conflicting with domestic laws.
- Governmental Response: The French government may take protective measures to safeguard its companies, which could include diplomatic discussions or legal challenges.
- Public Perception: The incident could influence public opinion on foreign influence in national affairs and the sovereignty of domestic business practices.
- Broader Implications for Global Trade: This situation highlights potential challenges in international trade where regulatory approaches clash across borders.
