Trump repeals anti-corruption law: Bribery is now legal in the US
US President Donald Trump has ordered a halt to the enforcement of the law prohibiting bribery of foreign officials. It is claimed that the decision was taken with the aim of increasing competitiveness in international trade.
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It has been reported that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which was enacted in 1977 to combat corruption, has been temporarily repealed by Trump. With the newly issued executive order, the enforcement of the law has been temporarily suspended. Trump stated that this decision would enable American companies to be more competitive in the international market. In a statement from the White House, it was expressed that the new regulation is expected to contribute to the US economy.
Following the signing of the order, Trump made the following remarks:
'This step will mean more jobs and investment for America. The law makes it difficult for American companies to do business abroad. This situation negatively affects our country's competitiveness.'
According to a report by the Financial Times (FT), with the new regulation, investigations and sanctions under the FCPA will be suspended until the revised guidelines come into effect. Furthermore, no new investigations can be initiated without the approval of the Attorney General. Experts speaking to the FT warned that this decision by Trump could lead to trust issues in international trade.
The decision has caused mixed reactions in the business world. While some circles argue that the step will reduce the pressure on companies, others claim that it is a step backward in the fight against corruption.
The FCPA has formed the basis for the most important cases of the US Department of Justice to date. Most recently, the investigation opened in 2024 into the commodity trading company Trafigura on allegations of bribing Petrobras in Brazil was recorded as one of the most significant examples demonstrating the impact of the law.