Efforts by the US government to eliminate diversity initiatives have not been well-received in Europe, after French media reported last week that major companies in the country had received a letter saying President Donald Trump's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives also could apply outside the US.
European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová acknowledged a letter had been sent, but said "we need to know a bit more details before we react and as you know and as you have pointed out, anti-discrimination and equality is based on our main values."
The demands in the letter reportedly include abandoning inclusion policies that align with French and European Union laws, such as gender equality, the fight against discrimination and racism, and the promotion of diversity to assist people with disabilities.
After the US State Department demanded that French companies that do business with the US abandon DEI initiatives, France's minister for foreign trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, said his country would refuse to compromise.
He said French authorities would seek explanations from their US counterparts regarding the letter.
"All of this represents progress that corresponds first and foremost to our French values. We are proud of this and we do not wish to compromise on it," Saint-Martin told RTL Radio.
"We cannot simply cancel the application of our own laws overnight."
The French daily newspaper Le Figaro published what it claimed was a copy of the letter.
The document stated that an executive order Trump signed in January, which terminated DEI programs within the federal government, also "applies to all suppliers and service providers of the US Government, regardless of their nationality or the country in which they operate."
Recipients were asked to complete, sign and return a separate certification form within five days to demonstrate compliance.
Saint-Martin said he was "deeply shocked" but stressed the importance of maintaining a "positive agenda" and continuing dialogue with the US.
"We have no lessons to learn from the boss of America"
In Belgium, where some companies reportedly also received similar demands, the government strongly criticised what was perceived as pressure from Washington.
Finance Minister Jan Jambon emphasised that Europeans have a "culture of non-discrimination" that must be upheld.
"We have no lessons to learn from the boss of America," he told RTL-TVi.
In a joint statement quoted by local media, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and Equal Opportunities Minister Rob Beenders lamented what they called a "step backward" by the US.
"Diversity and inclusion are not merely buzzwords; they are the foundations of a strong and dynamic society," they said.
"They strengthen our economy, foster innovation, and allow talent to flourish."
In Spain, Barcelona's mayor announced last week that his municipal government would defy Trump's attack on DEI initiatives, which have included a cultural program hosted by the city.
