Officials in France and Belgium are pushing back against efforts by Donald Trump’s administration to roll back diversity measures in Europe. In the US, Disney has been put under investigation in connection with these efforts. Several companies in the EU have reportedly received letters from the US government informing them that the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives also applies to businesses around the world that wish to do business with the US government. France’s foreign trade minister expressed his shock at the assertation, stating that it is necessary to understand the real intention behind the letter. He compared it to asking companies to give up their inclusion policies, which align with French and European law. The Trump administration has made a point of targeting longstanding efforts to ensure that people from all backgrounds, including marginalized groups such as women and people of color, can gain a foothold and succeed. This has led to crackdowns at companies across the US, with Disney’s ABC unit being added to the list of firms being investigated for attempting to tackle discrimination. The French business daily Les Echos reported that the US embassy in Paris sent letters to a few dozen French companies, informing them that the rollback of diversity measures applies to all suppliers and service providers of the US government, regardless of where they are based. The letter requested that recipients complete, sign, and return a form certifying that they do not operate any programs to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. France’s trade ministry responded, stating that American interference in the inclusion policies of French companies, along with threats of unjustified tariffs, is not acceptable. The French government is working to determine exactly how many companies received the letter. France has become a global leader in promoting women on company boards, and the French minister for gender equality described the letter as an obvious form of interference. Similar requests were reportedly received by companies in Italy and Spain, as well as in eastern Europe. Belgium’s deputy prime minister also pushed back against the US efforts, stating that Belgium has no lessons to learn from the US. The US request comes at a delicate moment for the transatlantic relationship, which has been strained amid threats of escalating tariffs, security concerns, and the recent Signal leaks that laid bare the Trump administration’s disdain for Europe. Rob Beenders, Belgium’s minister of equal opportunities, pointed out that companies that embrace diversity benefit from more creativity, innovation, and a better connection with their customers. This view is backed up by a 2020 report by McKinsey & Company, which found that

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/31/politicians-criticise-us-efforts-to-make-eu-firms-reverse-diversity-initiatives