Stockholm rejects US letter against inclusion policies: ‘We won’t give up on diversity’

Brussels – The municipality of Stockholm said it has no intention of adhering to the request sent by the US Embassy on Tuesday (May 6) calling on the capital to scale down its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, echoing the anti-inclusiveness policy of the US administration of Donald Trump. This episode is the first case in which a foreign government sends such a letter.

Jan Valeskog, Stockholm’s deputy mayor in charge of planning, called the request “bizarre,” noting that “our political priorities matter, not those of this or other embassies.” The letter, which caused a stir in Sweden, asked Stockholm to confirm that no programs were underway to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. If they refused, they were asked to provide detailed explanations to the US legal team. Valeskog confirmed that the request was sent to the city planning department, likely as the recipient of payments and responsible for enforcing building permit fees. “We were really surprised because diversity, equality, and inclusion are fundamental values that we pursue and defend in Stockholm,” he said.

The letter is part of a series of steps the Trump administration took to enforce its anti-DEI policies, which also extend to foreign companies that do business with the US government. In March, several European officials, especially in France, had already expressed concern after some companies reported receiving similar communications.

This case was the first sign of the United States’ possible direct interference in local politics, adding to growing tension between American and European policies. After the news became public, the case prompted a wave of reactions on social media and via email from residents and citizens across Sweden. “Thousands of people are really outraged,” Valeskog said: “Many people follow the news about what is happening in the United States, but suddenly, with these requests, the issue has become much closer.” The episode raised questions about the role of US foreign policies in European countries’ domestic choices. It reaffirmed the importance of democratic and inclusive values for local governments, particularly those in Sweden, which strongly support diversity and inclusion as indispensable principles.