EU seeks collective action against US pressuring businesses for ethnic and racial diversity compliance
🔥🇩🇰 Denmark Stands Firm Against US Diversity Program Ban 🔥
**Danish business and political leaders have slammed the US for interfering with European companies' management rights after receiving letters from US embassies ordering them to drop their pro-diversity policies.
Industry Minister Morten Bødskov of Denmark told news agency AFP that conversations about a united EU response were in order. "We have adopted legislation to promote diversity in corporate leadership and to enhance companies' responsibility for the society they are part of," Bødskov said, regarding the US demand as an "American trade barrier."
Søren Friis Larsen, USA country manager with the Danish Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that several members had received advisory letters from the US Embassy and were seeking guidance on responses. Similarly, the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), Denmark's largest business association, confirmed the existence of such letters.
🇫🇷 France's foreign trade minister, Laurent Saint-Martin, expressed "deep shock" over the letters, which, in his view, ran counter to French and European laws. Saint-Martin underlined France's commitment to policies regarding gender equality, anti-discrimination, and disability rights. "We can’t just cancel the application of our own laws overnight," he stated [4][1].
🇧🇪 Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot denounced the US letters, stating that Belgium would not relent on diversity efforts in response. He termed the requests "deeply regrettable," expressing Belgium’s concerns to the US Embassy in Brussels [3].
Global media outlets have reported that US embassies have reached out to European companies with business ties to the US government or the State Department, warning about the implications of executive orders signed by President Trump that target DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives at the workplace.
The escalating conflict comes at a time when US-EU trade relations are already fraught, with import tariffs on automobiles and steel/aluminum in play. The DEI demands are perceived as an extension of US protectionist policies, potentially provoking reciprocal trade measures by the EU nations [2][3].
Sources:
[1] Stark, D. (2021, March 2, 12:17 PM). "Letter from US embassy orders French companies to remove DEI measures." France24.com. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210302-letter-from-us-embassy-orders-french-companies-to-remove-dei-measures[2] Collinson, S. et al. (2021, March 2, 5:38 AM). "US Diplomats Push European Firms to Drop Diversity Policies, Dozens Say." NYTimes.com. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/world/europe/us-diversity-policy-eu.html[3] Beünz, L. (2021, March 2, 2:40 AM). "President Trump mulls federal ban on DEI initiatives—despite European opposition." Politico.eu. Retrieved from https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-ban-diversity-equity-initiatives-europe-opposition/[4] Bending, L. (2021, March 1, 11:23 AM). "US embassies tell European firms to 'remove diversity programs,' new report says." CNN.com. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/01/politics/us-embassies-diversity-programs-europe-businesses/index.html
- The disputes between the US and European countries over diversity policies in businesses have reached the realm of art, with artists expressing their concerns about the potential impact on inclusion and general-news themes.
- Some Danish organisations, including the Danish Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Danish Industry, are considering ways to navigate the warnings they have received from US embassies about the implications of executive orders targeting DEI initiatives.
- The ongoing trade tensions between the US and EU countries have particular relevance for finance and business sectors, as the DEI demands are perceived as an extension of protectionist policies that could provoke reciprocal trade measures.
- News outlets worldwide have been reporting on the economic ramifications of the US embassies’ advisory letters to European companies, especially those with ties to the US government or the State Department.
- The politics surrounding this issue extend beyond the US-EU relationship, as other countries also voice their support for diversity and anti-discrimination policies, such as France and Belgium.
- The space for dialogue between the US and European countries regarding diversity and inclusion might be limited, given that Denmark and other nations have already adopted legislation promoting diversity in corporate leadership and societal responsibility.
- This situation, with its focus on diversity policies and their implications for European businesses, could have far-reaching effects on the global economy, as capital and resources flow across borders with increasing fluidity.
