France Condemns US Involvement in Diversity Policies of French Firms
French Ministry of Foreign Trade issues strong response to US embassy's letter regarding diversity programs.
France's Ministry of Foreign Trade has voiced strong criticism of what it calls unacceptable US interference in the diversity and inclusion policies of French companies.
The statement emerged on Saturday following a letter from the US embassy in Paris, which reportedly warned a number of French firms against implementing diversity initiatives that have come under scrutiny from the US government.
The letter, which circulated in French media, advised firms engaged in business with the United States to certify their compliance with US federal anti-discrimination laws that the embassy claims are infringed by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
It included a questionnaire requiring companies to affirm that they 'do not practice programs to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.' The French Ministry responded by asserting that such actions constitute inappropriate interference in the policies of French companies.
In its statement, the ministry emphasized that France and Europe stand ready to protect their enterprises and uphold their values against external pressures.
This situation follows a broader context where the Trump administration has actively discouraged diversity initiatives, evidenced by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump banning federal DEI programs shortly after he took office for a second term.
The US letter specified that the ban on DEI policies extends not only to federal agencies but also to all contractors and suppliers to the US government, irrespective of their nationality or operational country.
The specific number of French companies that received this communication remains unclear, and they have been given a five-day window to respond to the questionnaire.
French law traditionally does not acknowledge race, ethnicity, or religion as criteria in employment practices.
Such regulations are rooted in the principle of 'laicité,' which advocates a color-blind perspective of national identity, asserting that all individuals are equally French.
Instead, French companies are encouraged to enhance workforce diversity through focusing on gender and socioeconomic status.
Currently, France mandates that enterprises with over 250 employees maintain a minimum of 40% women on their corporate boards.
This initiative has positioned France as a frontrunner in women's workplace representation, ranking just behind Iceland globally for the proportion of women in corporate leadership roles.
The statement emerged on Saturday following a letter from the US embassy in Paris, which reportedly warned a number of French firms against implementing diversity initiatives that have come under scrutiny from the US government.
The letter, which circulated in French media, advised firms engaged in business with the United States to certify their compliance with US federal anti-discrimination laws that the embassy claims are infringed by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
It included a questionnaire requiring companies to affirm that they 'do not practice programs to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.' The French Ministry responded by asserting that such actions constitute inappropriate interference in the policies of French companies.
In its statement, the ministry emphasized that France and Europe stand ready to protect their enterprises and uphold their values against external pressures.
This situation follows a broader context where the Trump administration has actively discouraged diversity initiatives, evidenced by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump banning federal DEI programs shortly after he took office for a second term.
The US letter specified that the ban on DEI policies extends not only to federal agencies but also to all contractors and suppliers to the US government, irrespective of their nationality or operational country.
The specific number of French companies that received this communication remains unclear, and they have been given a five-day window to respond to the questionnaire.
French law traditionally does not acknowledge race, ethnicity, or religion as criteria in employment practices.
Such regulations are rooted in the principle of 'laicité,' which advocates a color-blind perspective of national identity, asserting that all individuals are equally French.
Instead, French companies are encouraged to enhance workforce diversity through focusing on gender and socioeconomic status.
Currently, France mandates that enterprises with over 250 employees maintain a minimum of 40% women on their corporate boards.
This initiative has positioned France as a frontrunner in women's workplace representation, ranking just behind Iceland globally for the proportion of women in corporate leadership roles.
