U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order instructing the Department of Justice to suspend enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a landmark anti-corruption law that prohibits American businesses from bribing foreign officials to secure commercial advantages abroad.
The executive order, signed on Monday, directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to put a pause on actions related to the 1977 law, which has historically been used to prosecute companies engaging in unethical business practices overseas.
“It’s going to mean a lot more business for America,” Trump stated during the signing in the Oval Office, reinforcing his stance that regulatory burdens hinder U.S. corporate competitiveness on the global stage.
A senior White House official elaborated on the administration’s reasoning, stating, “American national security depends on America and its companies gaining strategic commercial advantages around the world, and President Trump is stopping excessive, unpredictable FCPA enforcement that makes American companies less competitive.”
The move is expected to generate significant controversy, as the FCPA has long been a key instrument in the U.S. government’s efforts to combat corporate corruption and uphold ethical business practices worldwide. Critics argue that suspending enforcement could weaken global anti-corruption efforts and undermine the credibility of American businesses operating internationally.
Proponents, however, claim that the law has been selectively enforced and places American firms at a disadvantage against foreign competitors who are not bound by similar regulations. Trump’s decision aligns with his broader deregulatory agenda, which has prioritized reducing government oversight to encourage economic growth.
