German
software maker SAP SE (SAPG.DE),
Europe's largest technology company, criticized Donald Trump's immigration
curbs, saying the United States, its biggest
market, has drifted away from the
nation's principles of opportunity and equality.
In a letter
addressed to "all our nervous families wondering about your place in the
world" Chief Executive Bill McDermott told SAP's 84,000 global employees
that "we are always in your corner", while emphasizing its own non-discrimination
policies.
SAP joined
U.S. technology leaders from Apple (AAPL.O),
Facebook (FB.O)
and Google (GOOGL.O)
in emailing their employees to denounce the suspension of the U.S. refugee
program and the halting of arrivals from seven Muslim-majority countries.
McDermott, a
New York native and U.S. citizen, described a nation "stitched together by
immigrants" and expressed confidence that "America will find its way
back to its original identity," which he asserted was based on opportunity
and equality for all.
SAP is moving
gingerly to reassure its employees while also seeking to avoid tussling
publicly with the new U.S. administration. The firm, which supplies software
planning tools that help multinational companies manage far-flung operations,
generates nearly one-third of its revenue in the United States.
Twenty-one
percent of SAP's employees were based in the United States, according to its
2015 annual report.
Last week, SAP
said trade uncertainties presented by the Trump policies could drive sales of
its business planning software as it raised its business outlook for the next
four years (reut.rs/2kEKuJD).
McDermott said it was premature to say what impact U.S. policy changes may have
on business.
While
technology firms denounced the travel restrictions, many counterparts in other
industries either declined to comment or responded with statements reiterating
their company's commitment to diversity. (reut.rs/2jME4Ht)
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