Washington has requested corporations that work with the US authorities to drop their variety packages
France’s Ministry of International Commerce has denounced a request by Washington that French corporations working with the US authorities get rid of their variety, fairness, and inclusion (DEI) packages, calling it “unacceptable interference” in an announcement to AFP on Saturday.
The assertion got here after French media retailers reported that the US embassy in Paris despatched letters to a number of corporations urging them to finish inside anti-discrimination insurance policies. The request follows a January government order by US President Donald Trump geared toward dismantling DEI initiatives throughout federal businesses and contractors.
In keeping with Le Figaro, French corporations working with the US got 5 days to scrap their DEI or clarify in writing why they might not. Every letter reportedly included a “compliance type” and warned that failure to fulfill the brand new necessities may end in bigger customs duties and even the termination of US authorities contracts.
“American interference within the DEI insurance policies of French corporations, reminiscent of threats of unjustified customs duties, is unacceptable,” the French Commerce Ministry instructed AFP. “France and Europe will defend their companies, their customers, but in addition their values.”
Whereas the US embassy has not confirmed the request, the French Economic system Ministry estimated that “dozens” of corporations may have acquired the notification, together with plenty of telecommunications corporations.
A senior Finance Ministry official earlier instructed Le Figaro that whereas the modifications “replicate the values of the brand new American authorities,” these values “aren’t ours.” French Economic system Minister Eric Lombard reportedly intends to boost the matter together with his American counterparts.
Since taking workplace, Trump has signed a number of government orders concentrating on DEI initiatives, claiming such packages foster discrimination. Whereas he can not legally pressure personal corporations to conform, the administration has pressured contractors to align with federal coverage. Main US corporations, reminiscent of Amazon, Walmart, Meta, and Ford have already both scaled again or scrapped DEI initiatives in response to the brand new guidelines.
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