Trump embassy tells French firms: Stop diversity programs


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The French government has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s attempts to influence French companies’ internal policies after the U.S. embassy announced it would cease working with businesses that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The controversy emerged when Le Figaro, France’s newspaper of record, reported that several French companies received communications from the U.S. embassy in Paris stating their intention to terminate business relationships with firms practicing what they termed discriminatory policies.

The embassy’s message referenced Executive Order 14173, explaining that the directive applies to all U.S. government contractors, regardless of their location or nationality. Recipients were given a five-day window to respond, with the embassy requesting detailed explanations from those declining to comply.

The French response was swift and forceful. The Ministry of Foreign Trade condemned the action, stating: “American interference in the inclusion policies of French companies, such as threats of unjustified customs duties, is unacceptable.” They further emphasized that both France and Europe would defend their businesses, consumers, and values.

France’s Economy Ministry expressed similar concerns, with Finance Minister Éric Lombard planning to address the matter directly with U.S. officials. The Ministry remarked that while these practices reflect the new American administration’s values, they do not align with French principles.

Ironically, Trump’s anti-DEI stance bears similarities to France’s traditional republican principle of “colour-blind” governance. The French constitution explicitly guarantees equality for all citizens, regardless of origin, race, or religion.

Trump’s executive order, implemented upon his return to office in January, characterized DEI policies as harmful to national unity and contrary to American values of individual achievement and merit-based advancement. The order emphasized protecting workers from discrimination based on race or sex.

The directive faces opposition both internationally and domestically. In the United States, Judge Matthew F. Kennelly of the Northern District of Illinois has questioned the constitutionality of the order, suggesting that requiring companies to abandon DEI policies to maintain federal contracts might constitute an unconstitutional “coercive threat” under the First Amendment.

 

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