French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin expressed his shock at the US Embassy's request for French companies to abandon their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Following a letter and questionnaire sent to companies by the US, which questioned their commitment to DEI initiatives, Saint-Martin insisted that such demands conflict with France's laws upholding equality and diversity. Emphasizing that these initiatives represent fundamental French values, he announced plans for further discussion with the US Embassy to clarify their intentions, reinforcing France's dedication to inclusion policies against external pressures.
Saint-Martin emphasized that the US request challenges France's commitment to its equality laws, stating, "All of this is progress that corresponds first and foremost to our French values."
The French Economy Ministry reported that several companies received letters asking them to renounce DEI programs, reflecting a clash between US and European values in corporate policies.
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