Attorney Generals Push Back Against EU Mandates
A coalition of Republican attorneys general is calling on major tech firms to resist European Union regulations deemed “illegal in America,” according to a letter reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation. The letter, sent to companies like Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Unilever, features input from 16 attorneys general who urge these corporations to “prioritize America” regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards established by the EU.
“American businesses must adhere to American laws, no matter what the European elite thinks,” the letter states, with Florida Attorney General James Usmier leading the charge.
Usmier pointed out to the DCNF that “certain parts of corporate America” have a troubling tendency to adopt DEI and ESG initiatives. He warned that if companies implement “discriminatory and disruptive policies” in Europe, there could be repercussions domestically.
The letter addresses two specific EU regulations impacting American firms: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Company’s Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Under the CSRD, businesses are expected to provide regular updates on social and environmental risks. The CSDDD requires firms to consider the effects of their operations on human rights and the environment and to develop strategies for mitigating climate change.
According to Usmier, these European regulations are a burden on U.S. commerce and could stifle the economy. He stated, “They would risk American jobs, expose U.S. businesses to more lawsuits, and undermine the development of American energy.” He added that companies shouldn’t let Brussels dictate their policies and actions in the U.S.
This isn’t the first time Usmier has spoken out. Alongside West Virginia Attorney General John McAssey, he previously warned President Trump about potential harms of excessive regulation on American businesses.
In August, a White House statement on the trade framework agreement with the EU stressed the importance of ensuring that regulations do not impose undue restrictions on transatlantic trade.
