Trump pauses enforcement of law criminalizing foreign bribery: 'In practicality, it's a disaster'

The order, which directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), is intended to further American economic growth by eliminating excessive barriers to American commerce abroad.

"It sounds good on paper, but in practicality, it's a disaster," Trump said about the FCPA. 

"It means that if an American goes over to a foreign country and starts doing business over there illegally, legitimately or otherwise, it's almost a guaranteed investigation indictment. And nobody wants to do business with the Americans because of it," Trump continued.

However, the act has been "stretched beyond proper bounds and abused in a manner that harms the interests of the United States." Enforcing the FCPA also "actively harms American economic competitiveness and, therefore, national security," the order states.