Tue Feb 11 17:15:10 UTC 2025: ## Trump Suspends Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for 180 Days, Amidst Adani Group Investigation

**Washington, D.C. –** In a controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order temporarily suspending the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for at least 180 days. The order, signed on February 10th, 2025, will allow Attorney General Pam Bondi to review the legislation, which prohibits bribery of foreign officials to secure business deals.

The timing of the suspension has raised eyebrows, coinciding with ongoing investigations into the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate, and its executives. In November 2024, the Adani Group, its founder Gautam Adani, and others were charged by the SEC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for alleged bribery amounting to $250 million. While the Adani executives weren’t directly charged with violating the FCPA, they face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud. Five others were charged with conspiring to violate the FCPA.

While the executive order will halt new FCPA investigations, it remains unclear how it will affect existing ones, such as the Adani Group case. The order states that the pause could be extended beyond the initial 180-day period and that the Attorney General could implement “remedial measures” regarding “inappropriate” investigations after the review.

President Trump justified the suspension by arguing that the FCPA’s enforcement has been “overexpansive” and “unpredictable,” harming U.S. interests and hindering American companies’ global competitiveness. He suggested that the act has been “stretched beyond proper bounds” and that the suspension will ultimately benefit American businesses. This echoes similar objections he raised during his previous term.

The executive order marks the latest in a series of actions Trump has taken since returning to power last month. The move has sparked debate and is likely to face significant scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.

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