French minister Aurore Bergé on Sunday accused the US embassy in Paris of trying to "impose a diktat" on French businesses after local media reported that companies had received a letter from embassy staff calling on them to comply with US President Donald Trump's executive order terminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
30/03/2025 -
By:FRANCE 24
Aurore Bergé, France's minister for equality between women and men and combating discrimination, speaks during a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly in Paris on March 25, 2025. © Bertrand Guay, AFP
A French minister on Sunday accused US diplomats of interfering in the operations of French companies by sending them a letter reportedly telling them that US President Donald Trump's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives could also apply outside of the United States.
French media said that the letter received by major French companies was signed by an officer of the US State Department who is on the staff at the US Embassy in Paris. The embassy didn't respond to questions this weekend from The Associated Press.
Le Figaro daily newspaper published what it said was a copy of the letter. The document said that an executive order that Trump signed in January terminating DEI programmes within the federal government also “applies to all suppliers and service providers of the US Government, regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate”.
Read moreThe death of DEI? Trump wages war on diversity, equity and inclusion
The document asked recipients to complete, sign and return within five days a separate certification form to demonstrate that they are in compliance.
That form, also published by Le Figaro, said: “All Department of State contractors must certify that they do not operate any programmes promoting DEI that violate any applicable anti-discrimination laws.”
The form asked recipients to tick a box to confirm that they “do not operate any programmes promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws”.
The letter added: “If you do not agree to sign this document, we would appreciate it if you could provide detailed reasons, which we will forward to our legal services.”
Most affirmative action policies are in fact illegal in France, which bans treatment based on origin, ethnic group or religion, though many large companies have sought to diversify their recruitment pools.
France does however require companies with more than 1,000 employees to promote equality for women under a 2021 law, with benchmarks such as having at least 30 percent women executives.
Read more Do or DEI: Trump's assault on diversity divides America
Aurore Bergé, France's minister for equality between women and men and combating discrimination, said Sunday that the letter is "a form, obviously, of interference".
"That’s to say it’s an attempt to impose a diktat on our businesses,” she said.
Speaking to broadcaster BFMTV, she said that France's government is “following the situation very closely” and working to determine how many companies received the letter.
The minister said that “many” companies have told the government that they don’t plan to reply, “because they don’t have a respond, in fact, to a sort of ultimatum laid out by the US Embassy in our country”.
“It's out of the question that we'll prevent our business from promoting social progress,” the minister said. “Thankfully, a lot of French companies don't plan to change their rules.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)
A French minister on Sunday accused US diplomats of interfering in the operations of French companies by sending them a letter reportedly telling them that US President Donald Trump's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives could also apply outside of the United States.
French media said that the letter received by major French companies was signed by an officer of the US State Department who is on the staff at the US Embassy in Paris. The embassy didn't respond to questions this weekend from The Associated Press.
Le Figaro daily newspaper published what it said was a copy of the letter. The document said that an executive order that Trump signed in January terminating DEI programmes within the federal government also “applies to all suppliers and service providers of the US Government, regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate”.
Read moreThe death of DEI? Trump wages war on diversity, equity and inclusion
The document asked recipients to complete, sign and return within five days a separate certification form to demonstrate that they are in compliance.
That form, also published by Le Figaro, said: “All Department of State contractors must certify that they do not operate any programmes promoting DEI that violate any applicable anti-discrimination laws.”
The form asked recipients to tick a box to confirm that they “do not operate any programmes promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws”.
The letter added: “If you do not agree to sign this document, we would appreciate it if you could provide detailed reasons, which we will forward to our legal services.”
Most affirmative action policies are in fact illegal in France, which bans treatment based on origin, ethnic group or religion, though many large companies have sought to diversify their recruitment pools.
France does however require companies with more than 1,000 employees to promote equality for women under a 2021 law, with benchmarks such as having at least 30 percent women executives.
Read more Do or DEI: Trump's assault on diversity divides America
Aurore Bergé, France's minister for equality between women and men and combating discrimination, said Sunday that the letter is "a form, obviously, of interference".
"That’s to say it’s an attempt to impose a diktat on our businesses,” she said.
Speaking to broadcaster BFMTV, she said that France's government is “following the situation very closely” and working to determine how many companies received the letter.
The minister said that “many” companies have told the government that they don’t plan to reply, “because they don’t have a respond, in fact, to a sort of ultimatum laid out by the US Embassy in our country”.
“It's out of the question that we'll prevent our business from promoting social progress,” the minister said. “Thankfully, a lot of French companies don't plan to change their rules.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)
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A directive targeting French companies with US government contracts has raised concerns about the widening reach of President Donald Trump's policies abroad. With transatlantic relations already under strain, French officials are pushing back, questioning the implications of Washington’s hardline approach.
Issued on: 29/03/2025 - RFI
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According to a version published by French newspaper Le Figaro the letter states: "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 or the country in which they operate".
The letter further requests that recipients sign and return the document in English within five days.
"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," it adds, referring to the certification seen.
The US embassy in Paris has yet to comment on the matter.
French scientists join US protests in face of Trump administration's 'sabotage'
A directive targeting French companies with US government contracts has raised concerns about the widening reach of President Donald Trump's policies abroad. With transatlantic relations already under strain, French officials are pushing back, questioning the implications of Washington’s hardline approach.
Issued on: 29/03/2025 - RFI
US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on 26 March 26, 2025 in Washington DC. Getty Images via AFP - WIN MCNAMEE
The Trump administration has issued a directive to French companies holding US government contracts, instructing them to comply with an executive order that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
The firms have reportedly been asked to confirm their compliance by completing a separate questionnaire entitled "Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law."
This move is likely to ruffle feathers in European boardrooms, as concerns mount that the Trump administration is expanding its crackdown on DEI initiatives beyond US borders.
The directive comes at a time when President Donald Trump's stance on tariffs and security cooperation has already shaken transatlantic relations.
The Trump administration has issued a directive to French companies holding US government contracts, instructing them to comply with an executive order that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
The firms have reportedly been asked to confirm their compliance by completing a separate questionnaire entitled "Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law."
This move is likely to ruffle feathers in European boardrooms, as concerns mount that the Trump administration is expanding its crackdown on DEI initiatives beyond US borders.
The directive comes at a time when President Donald Trump's stance on tariffs and security cooperation has already shaken transatlantic relations.
French business daily Les Echos first reported on Friday that the letter had been dispatched to firms by the US mission in Paris, posting on X: "Several dozen French companies have received a letter from the US embassy".
UN rights chief deeply worried about 'fundamental shift' in direction in US
According to a version published by French newspaper Le Figaro the letter states: "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 or the country in which they operate".
The letter further requests that recipients sign and return the document in English within five days.
"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," it adds, referring to the certification seen.
The US embassy in Paris has yet to comment on the matter.
French scientists join US protests in face of Trump administration's 'sabotage'
Reaction from France
The directive has sparked a strong reaction in France. A senior official close to Finance Minister Eric Lombard indicated that the French government would be addressing the issue with US authorities.
"This practice reflects the values of the new US administration. They are not the same as ours. The minister will make this clear to his counterparts in Washington," the official told the Reuters news agency.
It has yet to be confirmed which companies received the letter, though media reports suggest that defence and infrastructure firms could be among those affected.
It also remains unclear whether similar letters and questionnaires have been sent to other European nations.
Trump has made eliminating DEI initiatives a priority, arguing that such programmes are themselves discriminatory – a stance that continues to fuel debate both in the US and internationally.
The directive has sparked a strong reaction in France. A senior official close to Finance Minister Eric Lombard indicated that the French government would be addressing the issue with US authorities.
"This practice reflects the values of the new US administration. They are not the same as ours. The minister will make this clear to his counterparts in Washington," the official told the Reuters news agency.
It has yet to be confirmed which companies received the letter, though media reports suggest that defence and infrastructure firms could be among those affected.
It also remains unclear whether similar letters and questionnaires have been sent to other European nations.
Trump has made eliminating DEI initiatives a priority, arguing that such programmes are themselves discriminatory – a stance that continues to fuel debate both in the US and internationally.
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