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US warns French companies they must comply with antidiscrimination law
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Commuters take the stairs at the Front Populaire metro station in Saint-Denis, Paris, on Jan. 24, 2025. (AFP/Julie Sebadelha)
T
he Trump administration has written to French companies holding US government contracts ordering them to comply with an executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs, two people familiar with the matter said.
The companies have been told to confirm their compliance in a separate questionnaire entitled "Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law." Reuters has seen a copy of the questionnaire.
The documents will raise concerns in European boardrooms that the Trump administration is widening its fight against DEI overseas, at a time US President Donald Trump's actions on tariffs and security ties have upended trans-Atlantic relations.
French business daily Les Echos, which first reported the existence of the letter late on Friday, said the missive had been sent out to firms by the US embassy in Paris.
"We inform you that Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunities, signed by President Trump, applies to all suppliers and service providers of the US Government, regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate," reads the letter, according to a copy that French newspaper Le Figaro published on its website.
"We would be grateful if you could complete and sign the document in English within five days and return it to us by email. If you do not agree to sign this document, we would appreciate if you could provide detailed reasons, which we will forward to our legal services," the letter added, with reference to the certification seen by Reuters.
An embassy spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
An official close to French Finance Minister Eric Lombard said the matter would be taken up with the US government.
"This practice reflects the values of the new US government. They are not the same as ours. The minister will remind his counterparts in the US government of this," the official said.
Reuters could not immediately identify which companies had received the letter. Defense and infrastructure companies were among those that risked exposure, media reported.
It was not immediately clear if similar letters and questionnaires had been sent to foreign companies in other European countries.
Trump has sought to eradicate DEI initiatives, which he and other critics say are discriminatory, from the government and private sector.
