A Race to the Bottom: Will the UK Resist the US Bribery Free-For-All?

President Trump’s latest executive order, 'Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enforcement to Further American Economic and National Security' which instructs the Department of Justice to halt enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), is a shocking and reckless decision that undermines decades of global efforts to combat corruption. By effectively legalising bribery for American corporations abroad, this move shreds the ethical foundations of US business practices, emboldens kleptocratic regimes, and signals to the world that the United States is willing to win at any cost—even if that cost is democracy, integrity, and the rule of law.

The FCPA has been a pillar of global anti-corruption efforts since 1977, ensuring that American businesses operate under high ethical standards. Trump said "It sounds good on paper, but in [practice] it's a disaster. It means that if an American goes over to a foreign country and starts doing business over there legally, legitimately or otherwise, it's almost a guaranteed investigation, indictment and nobody wants to do business with the Americans because of it."

The Trump administration’s argument—that this law puts the US at a competitive disadvantage—is not only morally bankrupt but strategically shortsighted. White House officials believe that "they are prohibited from engaging in practices common among international competitors, creating an uneven paying field." Instead of raising global business standards, Trump is ushering in a race to the bottom, where corruption becomes an acceptable cost of doing business.

This is not just a US problem. The UK and Europe must now brace for a new era of corrupt competition. With the US effectively allowing bribery, British and European firms that adhere to stringent anti-corruption laws—including the UK Bribery Act 2010—may find themselves losing business to American companies now free to grease palms and secure deals through illicit means. The question is: how does the UK remain competitive in a world where one of its closest allies has abandoned the fight against corruption?

The UK Must Lead on Anti-Bribery & Not Follow the US into the Gutter

Here's how we can do it:

• Strengthen the UK Bribery Act, Not Weaken It

The UK’s Bribery Act 2010 is one of the world's toughest and most comprehensive anti-corruption laws, criminalizing bribery in both the public and private sectors. It has set a global benchmark for ethical business practices, ensuring that UK-based firms operate with integrity both domestically and internationally. However, with the United States now abandoning enforcement of its own anti-bribery law, some may argue that the UK should follow suit to remain competitive. This would be a disastrous misstep. Instead of diluting its standards, the UK should double down on enforcement, ensuring that British firms maintain their reputation for clean business practices and ethical leadership. Weakening the Bribery Act would not only damage the UK’s credibility but also create an environment where corruption thrives, ultimately harming long-term economic growth and stability.

• Push for Global Coalitions Against Corruption

With the United States turning its back on anti-corruption enforcement, the UK has a unique opportunity to step into a leadership role on the global stage. By forging alliances with like-minded nations—such as the European Union, Canada, and Australia—the UK can help to reinforce and expand international anti-bribery frameworks. One key initiative that should be strengthened is the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, which already binds multiple countries to preventing bribery in international business transactions. If the US government refuses to hold its corporations accountable, then a coalition of ethical nations must rise to fill the void. By leading this charge, the UK can solidify itself as a global hub for fair and transparent business practices, ensuring that corruption does not become the standard in international commerce.

• Implement Stronger Trade & Investment Standards

If the US is going to embrace bribery as part of its economic strategy, the UK must rethink its trade relationships accordingly. To maintain ethical business standards, British policymakers should only enter into trade agreements with nations that uphold strong anti-corruption commitments. This means conditioning trade and investment deals on transparent governance, accountability, and legal enforcement against bribery. Countries that allow their corporations to engage in unethical practices should face strict scrutiny and potential restrictions when dealing with the UK market. By taking this stance, the UK can attract high-integrity businesses and investors, ensuring that its economy remains strong without compromising ethical principles.

• Sanction Corrupt Actors, Even If They Are American

If American companies begin using bribery as a routine business tactic, the UK must not hesitate to take action. Just as Britain has imposed sanctions on human rights abusers and corrupt foreign officials under laws like the UK Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime, it should apply similar measures to businesses engaging in corruption—regardless of their nationality. This could mean barring corrupt firms from operating in the UK, limiting access to British financial markets, or imposing penalties on executives who engage in bribery. If the US government refuses to uphold ethical standards, the UK has a moral and economic obligation to protect its markets from unethical actors and ensure that corruption does not spread unchecked.

By taking these bold steps, the UK can reinforce its position as a leader in ethical business, strengthen global anti-corruption efforts, and ensure that fairness—not bribery—remains the foundation of international trade and investment.

Final Thoughts

This moment could reshape international trade and diplomacy, as the UK and other nations decide whether to tolerate a new US approach where bribery is business as usual. Trump’s executive order is an insult to decades of global anti-corruption progress. It will embolden corrupt regimes, disadvantage ethical businesses, and tarnish the reputation of US firms that have worked hard to compete fairly on the world stage. But more than that, it forces the UK to make a choice:

• Do we abandon our principles and join the US in legitimising bribery?

• Or do we stand firm and position Britain as the global leader in ethical business?

The answer should be clear. The UK must reject this descent into lawlessness and take a leading role in championing integrity, transparency, and fair competition. If the US wants to become a haven for corporate corruption, so be it. But Britain should seize this moment to prove that ethical business is not just a moral imperative—it is the key to long-term economic success.

Corruption is not a competitive strategy. It’s a shortcut to disaster. The UK must lead where the US has failed.