PATIS — Officials from France and Belgium have expressed strong disapproval regarding a recent request from the United States State Department, which urged companies to abandon their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures. This move reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against DEI policies, which have increasingly targeted educational institutions, corporations, government contractors, and security services across the globe.
Strong pushback from European leaders
French Minister for Gender Equality, Aurore Bergé, made her stance clear during an interview with BFMTV on Sunday, stating, “It is out of the question that we will prevent our business from promoting additional social progress [and] social rights.” She emphasized that many French companies are not inclined to modify their existing policies in response to external pressures.
In similar terms, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Jan Jambon articulated his country’s commitment to non-discrimination, asserting, “We have a culture of non-discrimination in Europe and we must continue that. We have no lessons to learn from the boss of America.” This reflects a broader sentiment among European leaders who are advocating for the maintenance of social rights and progressive values.
Responses to the US request
According to reports, several French businesses received a letter — first highlighted by Les Echos and later obtained by POLITICO — demanding that they certify their non-implementation of DEI or positive discrimination programs. The letter, signed by Stanislas Parmentier, the contracting officer at the U.S. embassy in Paris, further stated, “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 teams.” There are indications that companies in other EU nations, such as Italy, Spain, and Belgium, have received similar communications.
France’s trade ministry condemned the American request, labeling it as “unacceptable interference in the inclusion policies of French companies, as well as unjustified threats of tariffs.” The office of Economy Minister Eric Lombard indicated that he would address the matter with his American counterparts, stating, “This practice reflects the values of the new American government. They are not ours.”
The business community in France remains steadfast, with Patrick Martin, president of the influential business lobby Medef, asserting, “We can’t bend, we have values, rules, we have to respect them.” This conflict is amplifying transatlantic tensions, especially with the impending announcement of new tariffs by the Trump administration, set to escalate the ongoing trade war.
This article has been updated.