Overview

• The US Embassy in Paris sent letters to French companies requiring confirmation of compliance with Executive Order 14173, which mandates the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
• French Finance Minister Eric Lombard criticized the move as inconsistent with European values and promised to address the issue with US officials.
• Some companies, such as Orange, received the letter despite having no US operations, while others like Thales and TotalEnergies, which operate in the US, did not receive it.
• Reports indicate similar demands were made to companies in Belgium and Eastern EU states, though no such actions have been reported in Germany.
• The French government and business leaders view the US actions as an unacceptable interference in domestic affairs, contributing to growing diplomatic and trade tensions between the US and Europe.