US Orders EU Firms to Comply with DEI Ban

The Trump administration has issued a directive through US embassies in Europe, demanding major EU companies comply with an executive order banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, even if they are suppliers or service providers to the US government based outside the US. This move has been criticized by French and other EU officials as an unacceptable interference in their companies' operations. The directive requires companies to complete a certification form within five days, affirming compliance with the order, or provide reasons for non-compliance. French companies, particularly in sectors like defense and infrastructure, are seen as vulnerable to the demands, sparking outrage and accusations of overreach by Washington into foreign businesses. The US administration's actions are seen as part of a broader effort to impose its values on global partners, drawing parallels with past US interventions in foreign corporations under the guise of legality and ethics. The controversy adds to the strain on trans-Atlantic relations, already tense due to previous trade and policy disagreements.