Trump Orders Pause on Foreign Bribery Prosecutions to Boost U.S. Business

President Donald Trump has ordered a halt to foreign bribery prosecutions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), aiming to boost U.S. business competitiveness globally.

President Donald Trump on Monday planned to sign an executive order directing the Justice Department to pause prosecutions of Americans accused of bribing foreign officials while seeking business opportunities abroad.

According to a fact sheet seen by Reuters, the order seeks to revise enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977, arguing that excessive and unpredictable prosecutions have put U.S. companies at a disadvantage against global competitors. The directive instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to suspend enforcement until she establishes new guidelines that align with American economic interests.

"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 fact sheet states.

Under the order, all future FCPA investigations and enforcement actions must adhere to the revised guidance and receive approval from the attorney general. The White House argues that U.S. firms are disproportionately affected by strict enforcement, while foreign competitors operate under more lenient regulations, creating an uneven playing field.

The order highlights sectors crucial to national security, including critical minerals, deep-water ports, and key infrastructure, where American firms should gain a strategic advantage.

In 2024, the Justice Department and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) filed 26 FCPA-related enforcement actions, with at least 31 companies under investigation by the end of the year, the fact sheet notes.

Trump’s decision is expected to draw both support from business groups seeking relief from regulatory burdens and criticism from transparency advocates who argue that the move weakens anti-corruption efforts.

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