Governments in countries such as France, Belgium and Ireland have explicitly rejected any intention of complying with Washington’s suggestions, insisting on maintaining policies that promote inclusion and equal treatment. So have leading European companies, which have declared that DEI programs are an integral part of their corporate identity, culture and relationship with society.

The push to repeal these policies is part of a growing perception in the US that inclusion practices promote “minority bias,” supposedly leading to inequalities at the expense of the majority. Europe, however, sees things differently: for most European countries, DEI initiatives are a foundation for social cohesion, innovation, and business performance.

It is worth noting that European multinationals such as Unilever, Airbus and Ikea have reaffirmed their commitment to diversity and inclusion, even intensifying their actions in their European arm, even when they are forced to limit corresponding programs in the US.

This conflict is not just geopolitical or ideological. It is a critical crossroads for the future of labor rights and social progress. Europe seems determined not to back down — and that is not just a policy, but a way of life.