Latest news with #Valeskog
Local Sweden
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Stockholm v Trump: 'If US embassy wanted a building permit, they would have a problem'
Stockholm's city government has missed a deadline from the US government to certify that they do not have any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes. Jan Valeskog, the city's deputy mayor, explained why he has rejected this 'bizarre' request. Advertisement On Friday, May 9th, the Stockholm City Planning Department, missed the ten-day deadline to submit a signed document requested by the US government on April 29th, something Jan Valeskog, the deputy mayor responsible for the planning department, said he had never intended to do. "It's bizarre, because it goes against everything we stand for, and also against Swedish law," he told The Local. "All municipalities are working with anti-discrimination. It's unbelievable." READ ALSO: Stockholm hits back at US embassy's 'completely bizarre' anti-DEI contract On Tuesday, April 29th, Stockholm's city's planning department received an email from the US embassy, giving them 10 days to sign a document certifying that they "do not operate programs promoting DEI", along with what looked like a threat to withhold payment. The city government, the US embassy wrote, should "agree that such certification is material for the government's payment decision", suggesting that the Stockholm city government would be "subject to the False Claims Act", under which suppliers to the US government risk fines of up to $10,000. Advertisement The letter enforces US President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14173, which, among other things, forbids US government agencies from "allowing federal contractors and subcontractors to engage in workforce balancing based on race, color, sex, sexual preference, religion, or national origin". The US embassy, like all other US government agencies, is required under the executive order to include a term in all future contracts, "requiring such counterparty or recipient to certify that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws". Valeskog told The Local had been hoping that the US embassy or the State Department would withdraw the demand before the deadline passed. "We are expecting them to withdraw this and maybe say that they are sorry," he said. "I'm not sure [US President] Trump has ever used these words, but this could have been the first time. There were rumours they were going to issue a statement last Friday, but they didn't." Advertisement Permit problems Valeskog said that if the US embassy in Stockholm were to cancel contracts or freeze payments because of a refusal to sign the document, they would only damage themselves. "Every fourth year, the embassy wants a building permit and if they want to get the building permit, they need to cooperate with us and if they don't want to do that, they would have a problem." Christopher Fjellner, the leader of the opposition Moderate Party, called on city government to take an even more robust approach, threatening to cut off municipal services like hot water or garbage collection. "It's them who are dependent on our garbage collection, our hot water, and our sewage treatment, so if they want to do without them, I say good luck to them!" he told Sweden's public radio broadcaster SR. Government's job to protest Fjellner also called for the Social Democrat-led city government to demand a meeting with the embassy, something Valeskog rejected. "This is a real misunderstanding. We are not allowed to do foreign policy, so we cannot take 'revenge' on the embassy or call the embassy personnel up to the city offices. That's not for us to do, it's for the government, but they are silent. A lot of governments are silent for some reason when it comes to Trump administration. It's a very strange situation."
France 24
09-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Stockholm is latest city to refuse 'bizarre' US request to abandon diversity
The Stockholm City Council has rejected the US embassy's demands that it roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at the behest of the Trump administration. In his inauguration speech, US President Donald Trump vowed to end what he sweepingly but vaguely called efforts to 'socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life'. This has translated into attempts to eliminate programmes in the United States that seek to encourage diversity and equality in education, the work force and beyond. In an email to the city's planning office dated April 29, the US embassy asked that Stockholm officials sign a document promising that contractors would not operate any programmes promoting DEI that would violate current US law. 'It's so bizarre,' Jan Valeskog, Stockholm's vice-mayor for city planning, told the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter on Tuesday. The city council said Friday that it would not comply with the embassy's demands or offer an official response. 'We were really surprised, of course,' Valeskog told The Associated Press. 'We will not sign this document at all, of course not.' Valeskog said that while the city wants to maintain a good relationship with the US embassy, it will follow Swedish law and current city policies even if they include DEI practices. Countries and cities across Europe have received similar demands from US embassies – including France, Belgium and the city of Barcelona – all of which have lashed out at the attempt to expand anti-diversity policies to the continent. Questionnaire sent to French firms The US embassy in Paris sent letters in March to several French companies warning against pursuing diversity programmes. The letters, sent to firms currently doing or looking to do business with the United States, included a questionnaire asking them to certify that they "do not practice programmes to promote diversity, equity and inclusion". The questionnaire added that such programmes "infringe on applicable federal anti-discrimination laws" in the United States, where Trump signed an order banning federal DEI programmes the day he returned to office. "We would be grateful if you could complete and sign the document in English within five days and return it to us by email," the letter read. "If you do not agree to sign this document, we would appreciate if you could provide detailed reasons, which we will forward to our legal services," it added. The letter told companies that Trump's January 20 executive order rescinding DEI programmes "also applies to all contractors and suppliers of the US government, regardless of nationality or country of operations". France lacks US-style DEI policies France hit back through its ministry of foreign trade. "US interference in French companies' inclusion policies is unacceptable, just like its unjustified tariff threats," the ministry said. "France and Europe will defend their companies, their consumers, but also their values." France does not have US-style affirmative action policies, and French law bans treating individuals differently based on origin, ethnic group or religion. Even conducting polls asking about ethnicity or religion is illegal. However, many large companies have sought to diversify their recruitment pools. A 2023 study found that close to 97 percent of French CEOs were White. France does require companies with more than 1,000 employees to try to promote gender equality, with benchmarks such as having at least 30 percent of executives be women. Economy Minister Eric Lombard's office said the letter "reflects the values of the new US government" – but not French values. "They are not ours," it said. "The minister will remind his US counterparts of that."
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
European City Reacts to Trump's DEI Ultimatum
World European City Reacts to Trump's DEI Ultimatum View of Stockholm city hall. View of Stockholm city hall ahead on May 1, 2025 in Stockholm, official in Stockholm has condemned a U.S. demand his city applies the Trump administration's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies for contractors dealing with the American embassy. Jan Valeskog, Stockholm's planning commissioner, described as "bizarre" a letter by the U.S. Embassy in Sweden calling for the city's authorities to formally agree to cease diversity initiatives, according to the newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Firms in other European countries like France, Denmark and the Netherlands have also reported they have received the U.S. request, prompting one Danish official to call for a united EU response. The U.S. State Department told Newsweek in April that the directive only applied to foreign contractors for American missions who were being asked to complete one additional piece of paperwork. Newsweek has contacted Valeskog and the U.S. State Department for comment. Why It Matters The Swedish media report marks the latest example of Europe pushing back against the Trump administration's effort to dismantle DEI initiatives across government and industry, which apply beyond U.S. borders. It follows French companies with U.S. government contracts being asked to comply with its executive orders banning DEI initiatives. Firms elsewhere in Europe such as Denmark and the Netherlands have also received the missives under the Executive Order on Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (EO 14173) which is straining Washington's ties with Europe. What To Know Dagens Nyheter reported that the U.S. embassy had given Stockholm's planning office 10 working days to sign a contract stating it would comply with U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws and not operate any DEI programs that violate them. The letter which was started with "dear city planning office" explained how everyone the U.S. government purchases goods and services from must sign the contract, the paper said. However, Valeskog told the newspaper that it would refuse such a move which was "the opposite of what we stand for," as he called for the U.S. to withdraw the demand. He said it the U.S. embassy that benefits from the City of Stockholm, not the other way around. If the U.S. ended ties with the city's planning office, the embassy would have difficulty getting a permit for construction. "It's their headache, not ours," Valeskog, added according to a translation. The newspaper has reported about Swedish companies facing the same demands and American federal contractors in France, Belgium, Spain and Denmark have also expressed anger at the policy. The U.S. State Department told Newsweek in April that U.S. missions are reviewing all contracts and grants to ensure they are consistent with White House Executive Orders. The statement from April 2 said that contractors and grantees are being asked for the certification required by the President's Executive Order on Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (EO 14173). This relates only to vendors or other organizations who have or seek to have contracts with, or grants from, U.S. missions, and only asks contractors and grantees to certify compliance with U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws, it said. "In other words, we are just asking them to complete one additional piece of paperwork," the statement said. There are generally no U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws applicable to foreign firms operating outside the U.S. unless controlled by a U.S. employer and employ U.S. citizens. What People Are Saying Jan Valeskog, Stockholm's planning commissioner, per Dagens Nyheter, via translation: "It's completely absolutely do not intend to do that, it is the opposite of everything we stand for." U.S. State Department, to Newsweek, on April 2: "U.S. missions are reviewing all of our contracts and grants to ensure they are consistent with the recent White House Executive Orders... "This effort relates solely to vendors or other organizations who have or seek to have contracts with, or grants from, our missions." What Happens Next As the DEI orders continue to anger European firms, the European Union said last month it was examining whether the directives met international rules and mulling a unified response. Related Articles 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC. This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 7:18 AM.
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
European City Reacts to Trump's DEI Ultimatum
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An official in Stockholm has condemned a U.S. demand his city applies the Trump administration's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies for contractors dealing with the American embassy. Jan Valeskog, Stockholm's planning commissioner, described as "bizarre" a letter by the U.S. Embassy in Sweden calling for the city's authorities to formally agree to cease diversity initiatives, according to the newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Firms in other European countries like France, Denmark and the Netherlands have also reported they have received the U.S. request, prompting one Danish official to call for a united EU response. The U.S. State Department told Newsweek in April that the directive only applied to foreign contractors for American missions who were being asked to complete one additional piece of paperwork. Newsweek has contacted Valeskog and the U.S. State Department for comment. View of Stockholm city hall ahead on May 1, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. View of Stockholm city hall ahead on May 1, 2025 in Stockholm, It Matters The Swedish media report marks the latest example of Europe pushing back against the Trump administration's effort to dismantle DEI initiatives across government and industry, which apply beyond U.S. borders. It follows French companies with U.S. government contracts being asked to comply with its executive orders banning DEI initiatives. Firms elsewhere in Europe such as Denmark and the Netherlands have also received the missives under the Executive Order on Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (EO 14173) which is straining Washington's ties with Europe. What To Know Dagens Nyheter reported that the U.S. embassy had given Stockholm's planning office 10 working days to sign a contract stating it would comply with U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws and not operate any DEI programs that violate them. The letter which was started with "dear city planning office" explained how everyone the U.S. government purchases goods and services from must sign the contract, the paper said. However, Valeskog told the newspaper that it would refuse such a move which was "the opposite of what we stand for," as he called for the U.S. to withdraw the demand. He said it the U.S. embassy that benefits from the City of Stockholm, not the other way around. If the U.S. ended ties with the city's planning office, the embassy would have difficulty getting a permit for construction. "It's their headache, not ours," Valeskog, added according to a translation. The newspaper has reported about Swedish companies facing the same demands and American federal contractors in France, Belgium, Spain and Denmark have also expressed anger at the policy. The U.S. State Department told Newsweek in April that U.S. missions are reviewing all contracts and grants to ensure they are consistent with White House Executive Orders. The statement from April 2 said that contractors and grantees are being asked for the certification required by the President's Executive Order on Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (EO 14173). This relates only to vendors or other organizations who have or seek to have contracts with, or grants from, U.S. missions, and only asks contractors and grantees to certify compliance with U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws, it said. "In other words, we are just asking them to complete one additional piece of paperwork," the statement said. There are generally no U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws applicable to foreign firms operating outside the U.S. unless controlled by a U.S. employer and employ U.S. citizens. What People Are Saying Jan Valeskog, Stockholm's planning commissioner, per Dagens Nyheter, via translation: "It's completely absolutely do not intend to do that, it is the opposite of everything we stand for." U.S. State Department, to Newsweek, on April 2: "U.S. missions are reviewing all of our contracts and grants to ensure they are consistent with the recent White House Executive Orders... "This effort relates solely to vendors or other organizations who have or seek to have contracts with, or grants from, our missions." What Happens Next As the DEI orders continue to anger European firms, the European Union said last month it was examining whether the directives met international rules and mulling a unified response.
