US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on Jan. 20.
Photographer: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg
Trump Has Companies in Europe and Asia Walking a DEI Tightrope
Global firms with a US presence don’t want to aggravate the Trump administration. But complying with international diversity regulations is non-negotiable.
Donald Trump’s executive order dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion efforts is making waves at international companies in Europe, Asia and beyond — but only on the surface. Quietly, many businesses are standing firm on diversity initiatives.
Companies from Roche Holding AG to Nissan Motor Co. have backpedaled on DEI policies in the US. But the Swiss drug maker says it has no plans to change its inclusion efforts elsewhere, while the Japanese car maker has left its international websites untouched. Volvo AB is going further: The car company hires “based on meritocracy, not quotas,” its spokesperson said, adding that positive action schemes such as its tecHER program will continue.