The French Ministry of Foreign Trade released a statement on Saturday stating that any US interference in the diversity and inclusion policies of French companies is “unacceptable.” This response came in reaction to a letter from the US embassy in Paris warning French firms against implementing diversity programs, a frequent target of the Trump administration. The ministry’s statement also mentioned potential unjustified tariffs and emphasized that France will defend its companies, consumers, and values. Copies of the US letter, which was sent to French companies doing or looking to do business with the United States, were published in French media late on Friday. The letter included a form asking firms to certify that they “do not practice programs to promote diversity, equity and inclusion,” also known as DEI. Such initiatives may “infringe on applicable federal anti-discrimination laws” in the United States, according to the questionnaire. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning federal DEI programs the day he returned to office for his second term as president. French law prohibits the consideration of origin, ethnic group, or religion in hiring practices and the collection of race-based data. Instead, French corporate diversification efforts focus on gender and socioeconomic background. For example, companies with more than 250 employees and significant turnover in France are legally required to have 40% women on their boards.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/france-slams-us-interference-in-firms-diversity-programs/a-72085616?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf