US embassies tell suppliers to comply with Trump ban on diversity policies

There is no 'verification' required beyond asking contractors and grantees to self-certify their compliance -- in other words, we are just asking them to complete one additional piece of paperwork,

the US embassies in Paris and Berlin said in identical statements to AFP

I find the reports about the American request to European companies to stop their diversity programs if they want to keep their contracts with the American government worrying,

Klever said

Morten Bødskovindustry Minister

Danish and European companies take great responsibility for diversity,

Bodskov said

We inform you that Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunities, signed by President Trump, applies to all suppliers and service providers of the U.S. Government, regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate,

read the letter published by Le Figaro, which was written in both French and English

This practice reflects the values of the new American administration. They are not ours,

said the office of Economy and Finance Minister Eric Lombard in a statement

It is downright regrettable that the U.S., a country whose administration was once at the forefront of defending shared values such as diversity, is now taking a step backwards,

he said

This applies worldwide, even if not all embassies send it at the same time,

he said

But I trust that our values will remain,

Kinga Szabo Christensen, a director at the group, told CNN

The question is not only a matter of principle but also of legal relevance: The US Embassy must comply with Belgian law in its actions. If contracts are terminated merely because a company is committed to diversity and inclusion, this could constitute a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,

the statement said

At Danish Industry we believe that an inclusive work culture with diverse perspectives is crucial to stay innovative and competitive,

she said

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,

he told RTL Radio

In Europe, we have a culture of non-discrimination and we must continue this. It is not the boss of America who should give us lessons."

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Jan Jambon told RTL-TVi

We have principles and laws and we intend that they be respected, despite what the US Embassy says."

Aurore Bergé, France's equality minister said on X, formerly Twitter

Thankfully, a lot of French companies don't plan to change their rules,

Bergé said, while Saint-Martin described himself as "deeply shocked" by the message but emphasized continued engagement with the U.S

France and Europe will defend their businesses, their consumers, and also their values."

France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said

We want to ensure that our contracts comply with all federal anti-discrimination laws and that suppliers do not operate programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion in violation of existing federal laws,

the spokesperson added

American interference in the inclusion policies of French companies, along with threats of unjustified tariffs, is unacceptable,

France's Ministry of Foreign Trade said in a statement sent to Reuters last week

The U.S. embassy in Spain, like all of our embassies around the world, is communicating to our local suppliers of products and services the new framework based on the recent executive orders signed by President Trump,

said a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Spain

Discrimination in any form has no place in our company,

it said

We would be grateful if you could complete and sign the document in English within five days and return it to us by email. If you do not agree to sign this document, we would appreciate if you could provide detailed reasons, which we will forward to our legal services,

the letter added