Trump Administration Extends DEI Ban to French Companies with U.S. Contracts

French officials criticize the directive as incompatible with national values, while companies face compliance uncertainties and potential legal challenges.

• The Trump administration has issued a directive requiring French companies with U.S. government contracts to comply with an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
• French firms have been asked to complete a compliance questionnaire titled 'Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law.'
• The U.S. embassy in Paris is responsible for distributing the directive, raising concerns in European boardrooms about the global reach of U.S. domestic policies.
• The French government plans to address the issue with U.S. authorities, asserting that the directive reflects values at odds with those of France.
• It remains unclear which companies have been targeted, though defense and infrastructure sectors are believed to be affected, and whether similar actions have been taken in other European countries.

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