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

The companies have been told to confirm their compliance in a questionnaire entitled "Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law." Reuters has seen a copy of the questionnaire.
President
The U.S. questionnaire raises questions about the practical changes targeted companies may need to implement, given the differing approaches between the U.S. and
U.S. companies have embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies, tracking race and ethnicity data and setting diversity targets. In
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 U.S. demand late on Friday, said it had been sent out to firms by the U.S. 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
"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 added, with reference to the certification seen by Reuters.
An embassy spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
'UNACCEPTABLE'
There was no indication that the companies receiving the letter were selected based on their presence in the U.S. A source close to the matter confirmed that
Meanwhile, defence electronics firm Thales and oil major TotalEnergies, both with operations in the U.S., did not receive it, according to spokespeople for the companies. Orange declined to comment.
"American interference in the inclusion policies of French companies, along with threats of unjustified tariffs, is unacceptable,"
"
It was not immediately clear if similar letters and questionnaires had been sent to foreign companies in other European countries.
(Reporting by
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