In a sweeping move that reshapes America’s stance on corporate corruption, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a long-standing law that bars U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials.
The order, signed Monday, directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to halt prosecutions under the nearly 50-year-old law and craft new enforcement guidelines. Trump, a vocal critic of the FCPA, has repeatedly called it a “horrible law” that puts American businesses at a disadvantage on the global stage.
“This is going to mean a lot more business for America,” Trump said while signing the order in the Oval Office.
The FCPA, enacted in 1977, has been a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to curb international corruption. It has led to major investigations into corporate giants like Goldman Sachs, Glencore, and Walmart, with billions in fines collected over the years.
Transparency International, a global anti-corruption watchdog, slammed the decision, calling it a step toward dismantling one of the most effective tools against corporate bribery.
“Trump’s executive order diminishes—and could eventually eliminate—the crown jewel in the U.S. fight against global corruption,” said Gary Kalman, executive director of Transparency International U.S.
A White House fact sheet justified the move, arguing that the FCPA “over-enforcement” gives foreign competitors an unfair edge while U.S. companies operate under stricter rules. The directive orders the Justice Department to draft “revised, reasonable enforcement guidelines” that won’t hinder American firms abroad.
In 2024, the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission pursued 26 FCPA-related cases, with at least 31 companies under investigation by year’s end. Those cases are now in limbo as the administration shifts its approach to international business ethics.
