The Trump administration is pressuring French companies with U.S. government contracts to comply with Executive Order 14173, which bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The move underscores the extraterritorial reach of U.S. policies and could disrupt corporate practices in Europe.
A U.S. Embassy letter, sent to various French firms, requests completion of a questionnaire titled "Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law." The document demands a signed confirmation within five days, warning that refusal must be legally justified. French newspaper Les Echos first reported the demand, while Le Figaro published the letter’s content online.
The executive order, framed as a return to merit-based opportunities, conflicts with European norms. In the U.S., DEI initiatives often track race and ethnicity to set inclusion goals. In contrast, France’s secular laws restrict such data collection, focusing instead on gender and socioeconomic inclusion.
Critics view the order as a further escalation of the Trump administration’s "America First" agenda, which has already strained transatlantic relations through trade and defense disputes. France’s Ministry of Foreign Trade condemned the interference as “unacceptable,” vowing to defend national values and corporate independence.
Interestingly, the outreach appears inconsistent. Orange, a French telecom giant without U.S. operations, received the letter, while Thales and TotalEnergies—both with American operations—did not.
As tensions grow, European boardrooms are increasingly wary of U.S. political shifts impacting their operations. It remains unclear whether similar compliance letters have been sent to companies outside France, but the move could mark a broader campaign to align global contractors with U.S. federal mandates.
This development could significantly affect international companies doing business with the U.S. government, especially those with DEI-focused policies.