Overview

• The U.S. Embassy in France sent letters to French companies asking about their internal anti-discrimination programs, warning that non-compliance could restrict access to U.S. government contracts.
• French Minister of Foreign Trade Laurent Saint-Martin expressed shock, calling the letter an overreach into French sovereignty and values, and demanded discussions with the U.S. Embassy.
• The French Ministry of Economy is assessing the legal implications and exploring a coordinated European response to the embassy's demands.
• French business leaders, including the Medef, criticized the move as an extension of U.S. extraterritorial influence into corporate values, with some companies planning to seek clarification directly from the U.S. Embassy.
• The controversy reflects President Trump's broader anti-diversity agenda, with the U.S. State Department reviewing over 15,600 international contracts, loans, and aid agreements for compliance with the administration's policies.