The French Ministry has condemned the “unacceptable” US interference on Saturday after the US Embassy in Paris sent several French firms that warn diversity known as Donald Trump.
Letters sent to French companies that are now doing or sought to do business with the United States included an attached questionnaire asking the firms to confirm that they “do not practice programs to promote diversity, justice and inclusion” or dei.
The AFP questionnaire added that such programs “violate the current federal anti -discrimination laws” in the US, where Trump signed an order banning Dei federal programs on the day when he returned to the post for a second term.
France, already drowning on the steps of Trump to hit hefty tariffs for imports, hit the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
“The US intervention in the policy of inclusion of French companies is unacceptable, as well as 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’s programs have attracted the anger of Trump and his followers who say they are discriminatory and incompatible with Meritocracy.
The letter, first published on Friday by Le Figaro, told the companies that the executive order of Trump on January 20 against the programs of Dei “also extended to all contractors and suppliers of the US government, regardless of nationality and the country of operations.”
It gives them five days to fill, sign and return the questionnaire.
Economy Minister Eric Lombard’s Office said the letter “reflects the values of the new US government.”
“They are not ours,” the message said. “The minister will remind his American colleagues.”
“Attack on our Sovereignty”
It was unclear how many companies the letter received.
The Ministry of Economy estimated that “several dozen” received it, but stated that it did not yet have the final figure.
The US Embassy did not immediately respond to a comment request.
As published in the press, the letter was not at the US Embassy.
“When companies got it in this format, it is not official communication, but even more diplomatic,” said AFP Christopher Messneo, an American lawyer based in Paris.
The US Government cannot force French companies to follow its laws, Mesnooh from the law firm Fieldfisher added.
“French companies now do not require the application of the labor law or the federal law in relation to the positive action policy,” he said.
In fact, most positive actions are illegal in France, which prohibits treatment based on origin, ethnic group or religion, although many major companies sought to diversify their recruiting.
However, France requires companies with more than 1000 employees to promote equality for women 2021, with landmarks such as at least 30 percent of women.
This means that the French company that adheres to the requirements provided in the US letter may risk violation of the law in France.
The head of the French Business Group Cpme, Amir Rzo-Tophigi called the letter “attack on sovereignty” of France, and called on political and business leaders “stand together” against it.
Gerard from the French Confederation of Labor CGT called on the government “to order companies not to accept any policy that harms equality between men and women or the fight against racism.”
Originally this story was presented on Fortune.com
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2025-03-29 22:39:00
AFP
