US orders French companies to comply with Trump’s diversity ban

The United States has ordered some French companies with US government contracts to comply with his executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes.

This is as it highlighted the extraterritorial reach of US policies and their potential impact on European corporate practices.

The companies were asked to confirm their compliance in a questionnaire entitled “Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law.”

President Donald Trump's “America First” policies have reportedly stoked economic and political tensions between the US and Europe since his January 20 inauguration.

The US questionnaire raises questions about the practical changes targeted companies may need to implement, given the differing approaches between the US and France.

It was gathered that American companies have embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, DEI, policies, tracking race and ethnicity data and setting diversity targets.

In France, a secular approach limits such practices, with laws restricting data collection and corporate efforts focusing more on gender and socioeconomic background.

The questionnaire will also spark concerns in European boardrooms that the Trump administration is widening its fight against DEI policies overseas, at a time when Trump's actions on tariffs and security ties have upended transatlantic relations.

French business daily Les Echos, which first reported the US demand late on Friday, said it had been sent out to firms by the US embassy in Paris.

“We inform you that Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunities, signed by President Trump, applies to all suppliers and service providers of the US Government, regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate.

“We would be grateful if you could complete and sign the document in English within five days and return it to us by email. If you do not agree to sign this document, we would appreciate if you could provide detailed reasons, which we will forward to our legal services,” the letter read.