China Approves First Import Batch of Nvidia H200 AI Chips Amid Strategic Shift 
U.S. Vaccine Policy Shifts Under RFK Jr. Create Uncertainty for Pharma and Investors 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Syria Detains Group Over Rocket Attacks on Damascus Military Airport Amid Hezbollah Allegations 
Christian Menefee Wins Texas Special Election, Narrowing GOP House Majority 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Pierre Poilievre Retains Conservative Leadership After Election Defeat in Canada 
Minnesota Judge Rejects Bid to Halt Trump Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis 
Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration Unlawfully Halted EV Charger Funding 
U.S. Accuses Cuba of Harassing Top Diplomat Amid Rising Tensions 
Faith Leaders Arrested on Capitol Hill During Protest Against Trump Immigration Policies and ICE Funding 
Sam Altman Criticizes ICE Enforcement as Corporate Leaders Call for De-Escalation 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Keir Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify in U.S. Epstein Investigation 
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.
