EU Firms Urged to Comply with Trump Administration's Anti-Diversity Rules

The Trump administration has intensified its campaign against what it terms 'wokeness,' directly impacting not only U.S. organizations but also European companies. Shortly after taking office, President Trump issued directives to dismantle offices dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion within federal agencies, aiming to eliminate initiatives that promote equal opportunities and fair representation in the workforce.

Recent reports indicate that the U.S. government is now extending these anti-diversity measures to certain European firms, specifically targeting those with contracts linked to the American government. Companies from France have been asked to confirm their adherence to new regulations that prohibit programs intended to foster diversity and inclusion. This request was communicated through a formal questionnaire sent by the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

The letter requested a prompt response within five days, urging companies to either comply or provide detailed reasons for their non-compliance, which would be forwarded to the legal department for further consideration.

In response to these developments, the French government has expressed strong opposition, labeling the U.S. demands as unacceptable interference in the inclusion policies of French businesses. French officials have emphasized their commitment to safeguarding their corporate values and consumer rights against what they perceive as unjust American pressures. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly denounced the U.S. strategy, asserting that France and Europe will defend their principles and business practices.

An official close to French Finance Minister Eric Lombard indicated that discussions with the Trump administration would take place to address these concerns. The official highlighted that the values underpinning the new U.S. regulations do not align with those held in France, and the minister intends to convey this message to his American counterparts.

The specific focus of the U.S. government's anti-diversity initiative appears to be on sectors such as defense and infrastructure. Notably, companies like Orange, a state-controlled telecommunications firm in France with no operations in the U.S., have reportedly received the compliance request. In contrast, well-known companies like Thales, a defense contractor, and TotalEnergies, an oil giant, which have a presence in the U.S., have not been subjected to such inquiries.

As of now, it remains unclear whether companies from other European nations are facing similar demands from the Trump administration. The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) has stated that there have been no indications of such requirements for German firms engaged in business within the U.S. market.