A Danish official called for the European Union (EU) to mount a united response to President Donald Trump's instruction that foreign companies with American contracts should comply with his orders against diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Meanwhile, a Dutch minister said she was not aware of any Trump orders to firms in the Netherlands, but warned it creates "more uncertainty" for them.
The Trump Administration had reportedly ordered French companies with U.S. government contracts to comply with its executive orders banning DEI initiatives.
Denmark's Industry Minister Morten Bodskov told AFP that "a response must naturally be discussed with our European colleagues."
"Danish and European companies take great responsibility for diversity," Bodskov said.
"In the EU, for example, we have adopted legislation to promote diversity in corporate leadership and to enhance companies' responsibility for the society they are part of.
"This can only be seen as yet another attempt at an American trade barrier."
Reinette Klever, the Dutch minister of foreign trade, spoke to the Trouw newspaper about the latest reports.
"I find the reports about the American request to European companies to stop their diversity programs if they want to keep their contracts with the American government worrying," Klever said.
"I can well imagine that this creates more uncertainty for Dutch companies. So far, we have not received any signals that companies have received such a request, but we are keeping in close contact."
This is a developing story and more information will be added shortly.
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This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 4:40 AM.