PARIS (AP) – US government’s efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives are not well descended on the European continent.
Laurent Saint-Martin, French Minister of Foreign Trade, said on Monday that the country will not compromise after the United States Department of State said that French companies who had contracts with the United States should abandon Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In neighboring Belgium, where some companies have received similar requests, the government has been unleashed with the new American rules.
French media reported last week that French companies received a letter saying that US President Donald Trump of Dei initiatives could also apply outside the United States
Saint-Martin met at RTL Radio following reports and said that the French authorities will seek explanations from their American counterparts.
The reported requests included the abandonment of inclusion policies which are part of the French laws and the European Union such as equality between men and women, the fight against discrimination and racism or the promotion of diversity to help people with disabilities, he said.
“All of this is progress that corresponds above all to our French values, we are proud of it and we do not want to make compromises,” said Saint-Martin. “We cannot simply cancel the application of our own laws overnight.”
The French media said that the letter had been signed by an US State Department officer who was one of the staff of the United States Embassy in Paris. The embassy did not answer questions from the Associated Press.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed to journalists during a briefing in Washington, confirmed that letters had been sent.
“This is an effort to comply with the President’s decree and it is essentially a self-certifying statement to local consulates and embassies,” she said.
The Daily Le Figaro newspaper published what he said was a copy of the letter. The document indicates a decree that Trump signed in January The implementation of DEI programs within the federal government “also applies to all the providers of the American government, regardless of their nationality and the country in which they operate”.
The document asked the US government entrepreneurs to finish, sign and return within five days a separate certification form to demonstrate that they are in accordance.
Saint-Martin said he was “deeply shocked” but insisted on the need to have a “positive program” and maintain a dialogue with the United States
In Belgium, the Minister of Finance, Jan Jambon, said that Europeans have a “culture of” non-discrimination “which must be prosecuted.” We have no lessons to learn from the boss of America, “he told Channel RTL-TVI.
In a joint declaration quoted by local media, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prévot and the Minister of Organizations, Rob Beenders, regretted the “step back” taken by the United States
“Diversity and inclusion are not only fashionable words, but the foundations of a strong and dynamic society,” they said. “They strengthen our economy, promote innovation and allow talents to flourish.”
In Spain, the mayor of Barcelona said last week that his municipal government would challenge Trump’s attack on Dei’s initiatives which included a cultural program organized by the city.
Trump has issued the executive decree to retreat programs with federal funding, including those who receive assistance from the US government abroad.
The Barcelona -based program is one of the 700 “American spaces” located in 140 countries. They offer lessons in English and other courses to adults and children, information and equipment on the United States and advice for foreign students in the hope of registering in American schools and universities.
