Camilla Jessen
A bizarre demand from the U.S. embassy has sparked confusion — and now, quiet retreat.
What began as a routine parking permit renewal by the U.S. Embassy in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, turned into a minor diplomatic stir when American officials added an unexpected — and unrelated — condition.
According to Danish news outlet TV2, the embassy requested that Copenhagen Municipality agree not to violate US anti-discrimination laws, specifically referencing the promotion of diversity and inclusion, as part of the parking license agreement.
The request had nothing to do with parking, and municipal officials were left puzzled.
“In the applications, the embassy demands that the Municipality of Copenhagen, in connection with accepting the applications, not go against US federal anti-discrimination laws, including the promotion of diversity and inclusion,” the city’s Technical and Environmental Administration wrote.
Copenhagen Pushes Back
The municipality declined to comply with the condition, viewing it as irrelevant and overreaching.
Following this, the embassy withdrew the demand.
Line Barfod, the city’s mayor for technology and environment, didn’t hold back.
It’s a crazy demand.
Barfod added that such clauses have nothing to do with municipal services in Denmark — especially something as straightforward as issuing parking permits.
Still, she acknowledged that this type of clause is standard practice under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has required suppliers and partners to align with US federal rules on diversity-related language.
Not Much Denmark Can Do
Despite local frustration, officials in Copenhagen may have limited leverage.
US diplomatic staff have rights to “critical services” like parking, and diplomatic immunity means they are not easily held accountable for breaking local rules — or failing to pay fines.
But, Denmark itself has unpaid diplomatic parking fines abroad.
For example, in the UK, Danish diplomats owe more than $550,000 in unpaid parking tickets — a sum the Danish government has made clear will not be paid.
“According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs response from July 2024, the outstanding fees in England will never be settled,” reports Boosted.