The USA embassy in Copenhagen has come under fire for what local officials have described as an unprecedented and “completely absurd” attempt to interfere with the city’s diversity and inclusion policies. The incident, widely seen as part of a broader political strategy by President Donald Trump’s administration, has raised concerns over foreign pressure on local governance and equality frameworks.
USA embassy demands Copenhagen abandon diversity to obtain parking
In a startling development, the USA embassy in Denmark requested that Copenhagen Municipality refrain from promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a condition for renewing its parking licenses. The request, detailed in internal communications reviewed by TV 2 Kosmopol, stipulated that in order to receive payment for the embassy’s vehicle permits, the city must comply with “USA federal anti-discrimination laws”—which, under the current USA administration, are being interpreted to exclude proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The request was swiftly rejected by Copenhagen officials, who called it “absurd” and an unwarranted interference. Line Barfod, the mayor for Technical and Environmental Affairs, stated: “It is completely absurd. To think that anyone could demand that we change our policies on equality in exchange for parking licenses makes no sense at all.”
Trump’s anti-DEI agenda goes global
Since returning to the presidency, Donald Trump has launched a sweeping campaign to dismantle DEI policies across the United States. This includes high-profile pressure on universities, such as the ongoing clash with Harvard, and a shift among USA corporations, particularly in Big Tech, to abandon or rewrite inclusion initiatives. Even some European companies have complied: LEGO, for instance, has reportedly removed references to the LGBTQ+ community from its public documents.
The new strategy now appears to involve diplomatic pressure abroad, with embassies acting as vehicles to enforce the administration’s ideological agenda. Analysts suggest the Copenhagen case is only the beginning.
“It’s part of a broader campaign to roll back identity-based policies,” said Mirco Reimer-Elster, a Danish-American analyst. “They likely thought they could get away with it quietly.”
Copenhagen stands firm on equality
Copenhagen Municipality has firmly reiterated its commitment to equal rights, stating in its response that the city cannot and will not comply with the embassy’s conditions. “We have just reaffirmed in our value framework that promoting equality is central to our work. That will not change,” Barfod emphasized.
The embassy’s demand was framed as a condition for a financial transaction—specifically, the renewal of parking licenses under a voluntary commercial scheme available to all companies and residents. However, Copenhagen clarified that such schemes are subject to local Danish regulations, not foreign political directives.
Following public and political backlash, the USA embassy withdrew its request, acknowledging in an email that while it is required to include such stipulations in contracts, it can still proceed with agreements for “critical services”—a category under which parking licenses were included.
DEI under pressure in Europe
This incident is not isolated. Earlier this year, USA embassies across Europe reportedly sent letters to local companies reminding them that, as suppliers to USA government institutions, they must avoid DEI-focused initiatives. The letter urged companies to certify they did not engage in preferential policies for diversity, inclusion or equity.
Such efforts have drawn comparisons to a global rollback of progressive values spearheaded by the current White House. Critics argue this constitutes a form of soft power coercion, exploiting economic and diplomatic leverage to influence domestic policies abroad.
The Danish response has been notably resolute. Copenhagen’s rejection is seen as a signal that foreign embassies cannot dictate the city’s principles. “Embassies operate under the host country’s rules. This sets a clear precedent,” Barfod concluded.
As global tensions rise over ideological models of governance, the USA embassy’s failed pressure on Copenhagen may mark the beginning of a new chapter in the struggle over diversity, inclusion, and democratic sovereignty.
