Newly Released DOJ Epstein Files Expose High-Profile Connections Across Politics and Business 
Ukraine-Russia Talks Yield Major POW Swap as U.S. Pushes for Path to Peace 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
China Approves First Import Batch of Nvidia H200 AI Chips Amid Strategic Shift 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
NATO to Discuss Strengthening Greenland Security Amid Arctic Tensions 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Pentagon and Anthropic Clash Over AI Safeguards in National Security Use 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
The Trump administration is pressuring French companies with U.S. government contracts to comply with Executive Order 14173, which bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The move underscores the extraterritorial reach of U.S. policies and could disrupt corporate practices in Europe.
A U.S. Embassy letter, sent to various French firms, requests completion of a questionnaire titled "Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law." The document demands a signed confirmation within five days, warning that refusal must be legally justified. French newspaper Les Echos first reported the demand, while Le Figaro published the letter’s content online.
The executive order, framed as a return to merit-based opportunities, conflicts with European norms. In the U.S., DEI initiatives often track race and ethnicity to set inclusion goals. In contrast, France’s secular laws restrict such data collection, focusing instead on gender and socioeconomic inclusion.
Critics view the order as a further escalation of the Trump administration’s "America First" agenda, which has already strained transatlantic relations through trade and defense disputes. France’s Ministry of Foreign Trade condemned the interference as “unacceptable,” vowing to defend national values and corporate independence.
Interestingly, the outreach appears inconsistent. Orange, a French telecom giant without U.S. operations, received the letter, while Thales and TotalEnergies—both with American operations—did not.
As tensions grow, European boardrooms are increasingly wary of U.S. political shifts impacting their operations. It remains unclear whether similar compliance letters have been sent to companies outside France, but the move could mark a broader campaign to align global contractors with U.S. federal mandates.
This development could significantly affect international companies doing business with the U.S. government, especially those with DEI-focused policies.
