The Deeper Meaning Behind Trump's Removal of Anti-Bribery Charges for Foreign Business Dealings

When I first heard that Trump had suspended the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), I felt an immediate wave of frustration and concern. This law, which has been in place since 1977, was one of the few remaining safeguards against overt corporate corruption in international business. Now, with a single executive order, Trump has thrown open the floodgates, allowing corporations to engage in bribery under the guise of economic competitiveness.

I’ve always believed that business should be conducted with integrity. The idea that American corporations can now legally bribe foreign officials only further legitimizes a system that has long thrived on exploitation and backdoor dealings. The FCPA was never a perfect law, but its rollback signals that the government is not even interested in maintaining the illusion of ethical business practices.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: A Brief Overview

The FCPA wasn’t about preventing corruption—it was about controlling it. It set the precedent for who gets punished and who gets a free pass. While some corporations faced fines and penalties, others, with the right connections, operated with impunity. The law provided a tool for selectively enforcing corporate accountability while allowing larger geopolitical maneuvers to play out behind the scenes.

Now, with the enforcement of this law on hold, the consequences will disproportionately impact those already at a disadvantage—small businesses, developing nations, and workers who suffer under exploitative conditions.

Trump’s Justification: A Thinly Veiled Excuse

Trump’s reasoning for this decision follows his usual playbook. His administration claims that the FCPA is a "horrible and ridiculous" burden on American businesses, arguing that other countries don’t have to play by the same rules. He insists that by lifting this restriction, U.S. corporations will have a better shot at securing deals in highly competitive markets.

But let’s be real—this isn’t about making American businesses more competitive. This is about removing any remaining barriers to full-scale corporate plundering. It’s about prioritizing short-term profits over long-term stability. And it’s about ensuring that the people and entities already benefiting from corruption now have one less obstacle in their way.

The Ethical and Geopolitical Implications

I worry about what this means for the future. If corruption becomes even more normalized, what’s to stop businesses from outright dictating policy? What’s to stop them from exploiting workers, bending regulations, and engaging in outright fraud? The U.S. has long been an active participant in global corruption, using economic leverage to manipulate markets, governments, and entire industries.

This decision isn’t an anomaly—it’s a continuation of a well-established pattern. The U.S. government has facilitated corporate dominance for decades, and this move simply accelerates that process. Countries that are already struggling with corruption will be further weakened, as American businesses now have an incentive to reinforce these systems rather than challenge them. The notion that the U.S. ever had a moral high ground is a myth, and this policy shift only makes that more apparent.

Trump Is No Different Than Any Other U.S. President

It is important to recognize that Trump is not unique in his approach—he is simply continuing the legacy of every U.S. president before him. From the founding of the nation to today, Western powers have used their influence to extract resources, destabilize governments, and exploit Indigenous populations, both domestically and abroad. The United States was built on the backs of the oppressed, from the forced removal and genocide of Indigenous peoples to the colonization of foreign lands under the guise of democracy and free markets.

Indigenous nations have long felt the brunt of American and Western expansion, whether through military force, economic coercion, or environmental destruction. The tactics may evolve, but the strategy remains the same—consolidate power, extract wealth, and silence resistance. Trump's actions are not a break from tradition; they are a reinforcement of the same imperialist framework that has governed American policy for centuries.

The Bigger Picture: A Step Toward Unchecked Corporate Rule

One of the most alarming aspects of this move is how it fits into the broader historical pattern of U.S. governance. Time and again, leaders have shown a willingness to bend or break rules for personal and political gain. By removing anti-bribery enforcement, Trump isn’t just making it easier for businesses to act unethically—he’s reaffirming that corruption is an accepted, even encouraged, part of the system.

This is why focusing solely on Trump as an individual is a distraction. His administration is just another chapter in a long history of U.S. leaders prioritizing corporate and imperial interests over justice and human dignity. Whether it was Reagan funding covert wars in Central America, Clinton’s economic policies accelerating corporate consolidation, or Obama’s drone campaigns reinforcing military dominance—every president has played a role in maintaining this global power structure.

What Can We Do About It?

I refuse to sit by and watch as corruption is further entrenched. Here’s what we can do:

• Expose the System: Acknowledge and educate others on the fact that corruption isn’t new—it’s been fundamental to U.S. global dominance for centuries.

• Push for Legislative Action: While we recognize the flaws in enforcement, we can still demand that lawmakers challenge blatant deregulation efforts.

• Support Ethical Businesses: Now more than ever, it’s important to support companies that attempt to operate with transparency and accountability.

• Stay Informed and Organize: The more we educate ourselves and connect with like-minded individuals, the more pressure we can apply to fight systemic exploitation.

Conclusion

This is about more than just one law—it’s about the kind of world we want to live in. Do we want a future where corruption runs unchecked, where corporations dictate policy, and where exploitation is the norm? Or do we want a world where we at least attempt to hold power accountable?

For me, the choice is clear. And I won’t stop fighting for a future where truth is valued over profit, and where the people—not corporations—have the final say.