France slams US 'interference' in firms' diversity programmes

PARIS:

France's trade ministry condemned "unacceptable" US interference Saturday after the American embassy in Paris sent several French firms letters warning against using the diversity programmes known as "DEI", a frequent Donald Trump target.

The letters, sent to French companies currently doing or looking to do business with the United States, included an attached questionnaire asking firms 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 the United States, where Trump signed an order banning federal DEI programmes the day he returned to office for his second term as president.

France, already bristling at Trump's moves to slap hefty tariffs on imports, hit back through the ministry of foreign trade.

"US interference in French companies' inclusion policies is unacceptable, just like its unjustified tariff threats," the ministry said.

"France and Europe will defend their companies, their consumers, but also their values."

Designed to provide opportunities for Blacks, women and other historically excluded groups, DEI programmes have drawn the wrath of Trump and his followers, who say they are discriminatory and incompatible with meritocracy.

The letter, published Friday by newspaper Le Figaro, told companies that Trump's January 20 executive order against DEI programmes "also applies to all contractors and suppliers of the US government, regardless of nationality or country of operations".

Economy Minister Eric Lombard's office said the letter "reflects the values of the new US government".

"They are not ours," it said. "The minister will remind his US counterparts of that."

It was unclear how many companies got the letter.

The economy ministry estimated "a few dozen" had received it, but said it did not yet have a final figure.