France has strongly criticized a letter from the U.S. Embassy asking French companies about their discrimination policies, viewing it as unacceptable interference. The correspondence warned that non-compliance could affect partnerships with the U.S. government, amid rising trade tensions. French officials emphasized the incompatibility of U.S. values with their own and noted that the letter’s unusual format raised questions about its legitimacy. Furthermore, compliance with U.S. demands could conflict with French laws on discrimination and gender equality.
France’s Strong Response to U.S. Embassy Letter
On Saturday, Paris expressed its robust disapproval following a letter from the U.S. Embassy sent to numerous French corporations. The correspondence inquired about their internal measures aimed at combating discrimination, which France deemed as “unacceptable interference.” Officials emphasized that both France and Europe are committed to upholding their principles and values.
Details of the Controversial Letter
Several French businesses received a letter along with a questionnaire, which AFP reviewed. The communication outlined that failure to engage in internal programs addressing discrimination could hinder their ability to partner with the U.S. government. This comes at a time when France maintains strict regulations against most forms of positive discrimination.
This information, initially disclosed by prominent news outlets, surfaces amidst heightened trade tensions that have been exacerbated under Donald Trump’s administration. The French Ministry of Foreign Trade expressed its concerns, stating that “American interference in the inclusion policies of French companies, akin to unwarranted tariff threats, is unacceptable.”
The letter also referenced “decree 14173,” a directive from Trump aimed at dismantling equal opportunity initiatives within the federal government, asserting that it is applicable to all suppliers of the U.S. government. Companies were given a brief “five-day” window to respond and return the completed document.
Amir Reza-Tofighi, president of the employers’ organization CPME, condemned this initiative as “unacceptable,” labeling it an infringement on national sovereignty and urging political and business leaders to stand united. Meanwhile, the CGT labor union called on the government to discourage companies from implementing policies detrimental to equality and anti-racism efforts.
Officials from the Ministry of Economy conveyed that this practice reflects the values of the current American administration, which they assert are not aligned with French values. The minister is expected to address this issue with American counterparts.
As for the specifics of the letter, it remains somewhat ambiguous. The Ministry of Economy indicated that only a limited number of companies, estimated to be “a few dozen,” received the correspondence, although the exact count is still being determined.
Notably, major corporations that spoke with AFP reported not having received the letter, which had an unusual format. Christopher Mesnooh, an American business attorney at Fieldfisher in Paris, pointed out that the letter did not originate from embassy or consular letterhead, nor from any U.S. agency, suggesting it lacked official status.
“If this is indeed how the companies received it, it does not represent an official or diplomatic communication,” Mesnooh stated, adding that while it may reflect the current administration’s viewpoint, it does not constitute an authorized action by the administration.
When questioned about the legality of U.S. demands on French firms, Mesnooh firmly stated, “No.” He clarified that French companies are not obligated to adhere to U.S. social or federal laws regarding positive discrimination. Furthermore, he explained that French law prohibits positive discrimination based on origin, religion, or ethnicity.
However, concerning gender equality, French legislation mandates that, starting in 2021, companies with over 1,000 employees must ensure that 30% of executive roles and governing bodies are occupied by women by 2027, increasing to 40% by 2030. Thus, should companies choose to comply with the U.S. letter’s stipulations, they would be acting in violation of French law.