Trump signs an executive order halting enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, calling it a “horrible law”

Donald Trump has dismantled one of America’s strongest anti-corruption tools, signing an executive order pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which bans U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials to win business deals.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump defended the move, claiming it will “mean a lot more business for America.” The nearly 50-year-old law, passed in 1977, has long been a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to fight global corruption, but Trump has repeatedly called it “horrible”, arguing that it puts American companies at a disadvantage compared to foreign competitors.

Under the new directive, Attorney General Pam Bondi will conduct a full review of past and current FCPA cases, setting the stage for new enforcement guidelines that will likely weaken the law’s reach.

Critics have condemned the decision, warning that it sends a message that the U.S. is turning a blind eye to corporate corruption. Transparency International, a leading anti-corruption watchdog, called the order “a direct attack on America’s leadership in global anti-bribery efforts.”

The decision is expected to impact major multinational corporations, including Goldman Sachs, Glencore, and Walmart, which have faced FCPA investigations in recent years. In 2024 alone, the Justice Department and SEC launched 26 FCPA enforcement actions, with at least 31 companies under investigation.

The White House justified the move, claiming that strict enforcement hampers U.S. businesses abroad, allowing foreign competitors to bribe officials freely while American firms lose contracts.

With Trump’s directive potentially paving the way for the law’s full repeal, critics warn of an era where corporate bribery becomes standard practice—and corruption flourishes unchecked.