Overview

• The Trump administration issued letters to French companies with U.S. government contracts, requiring them to certify compliance with a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
• France's Economy Minister Eric Lombard and Equality Minister Aurore Bergé have condemned the directive as an attack on French sovereignty and values, with Lombard pledging to address the issue with U.S. counterparts.
• The French government has labeled the U.S. directive as 'unacceptable interference,' citing potential conflicts with French laws that prohibit affirmative action based on race, ethnicity, or religion.
• The authenticity of the letters remains unclear, with reports suggesting they may not have been issued on official U.S. embassy letterhead, further complicating the situation.
• This controversy adds to already strained U.S.-France relations, with broader implications for transatlantic trade and diplomatic ties.