France’s commerce ministry condemned “unacceptable” US interference Saturday after the American embassy in Paris despatched a number of French companies letters warning towards utilizing the range programmes generally known as “DEI”, a frequent Donald Trump goal.
The letters, despatched to French corporations at the moment doing or trying to do enterprise with america, included an hooked up questionnaire asking companies to certify that they “do not practice programmes to promote diversity, equity and inclusion”, or DEI.
The questionnaire, which was shared with AFP, added that such programmes “infringe on applicable federal anti-discrimination laws” in america, the place Trump signed an order banning federal DEI programmes the day he returned to workplace for his second time period as president.
France, already bristling at Trump’s strikes to slap hefty tariffs on imports, hit again by way of the ministry of overseas commerce.
“US interference in French companies’ inclusion policies is unacceptable, just like its unjustified tariff threats,” the ministry stated.
“France and Europe will defend their companies, their consumers, but also their values.”
Designed to supply alternatives for Blacks, girls and different traditionally excluded teams, DEI programmes have drawn the wrath of Trump and his followers, who say they’re discriminatory and incompatible with meritocracy.
The letter, first printed Friday by newspaper Le Figaro, instructed corporations that Trump’s January 20 government order towards DEI programmes “also applies to all contractors and suppliers of the US government, regardless of nationality or country of operations”.
It provides them 5 days to fill out, signal and return the questionnaire.
Financial system Minister Eric Lombard’s workplace stated the letter “reflects the values of the new US government”.
“They are not ours,” it stated. “The minister will remind his US counterparts of that.”
‘Assault on our sovereignty’
It was unclear what number of corporations received the letter.
The economic system ministry estimated “a few dozen” had acquired it, however stated it didn’t but have a last determine.
The US embassy didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
As printed within the press, the letter was not on US embassy letterhead.
“If companies received it in that format, it’s not an official communication, much less a diplomatic one,” Christopher Mesnooh, an American enterprise lawyer primarily based in Paris, instructed AFP.
The US authorities can’t drive French corporations to observe its legal guidelines, added Mesnooh, from legislation agency Fieldfisher.
“French companies won’t now be required to apply US labour law or federal law against affirmative action policies,” he stated.
In reality, most affirmative motion insurance policies are unlawful in France, which bans remedy primarily based on origin, ethnic group or faith, although many massive corporations have sought to diversify their recruitment swimming pools.
France does nonetheless require corporations with greater than 1,000 workers to advertise equality for ladies underneath a 2021 legislation, with benchmarks corresponding to having not less than 30 % girls executives.
Which means a French firm that adheres to the necessities stipulated within the US letter might threat breaking the legislation in France.
The pinnacle of French enterprise group CPME, Amir Reza-Tofighi, known as the letter an “attack on the sovereignty” of France, and urged political and enterprise leaders to “stand together” towards it.
Gerard Re of French labour confederation CGT known as on the federal government “to tell companies not to adopt any policy that hurts equality between men and women or the fight against racism”.
This story was initially featured on Fortune.com
