Blog
As the world enters 2025, businesses are navigating an increasingly complex global landscape. With significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the new administration, corporations must adapt to new regulations and heightened risks. Key challenges include U.S. tariffs, the evolving Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and suspended anti-corruption efforts. These changes are causing uncertainty in global business, which undermines long-term planning and strategy.
U.S. Tariffs: Rising Uncertainty
The U.S. has intensified its use of tariffs as a strategic tool deeply impacting trade relations with key partners such as Canada and the EU. Tariffs on China were originally imposed during the first Trump administration and maintained throughout Biden’s tenure and are widely viewed as a necessary response to China’s state-backed trade imbalances. There is also growing evidence that tariffs are influencing other policy areas such as the crackdown on fentanyl labs in Mexico.
While these measures are aimed at protecting U.S. economic interests, they are also contributing to increased uncertainty in the global business environment. Companies face significant challenges in long-term planning as fluctuating trade policies disrupt supply chains and investment strategies. Moreover, long-standing alliances are being tested as trading partners react to shifting U.S. policies and further complicating the global economic landscape.
CFIUS and Reverse CFIUS: New Scrutiny on Foreign Investments
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has long been a key player in protecting national security from foreign investments. With the 2025 expansion of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA), CFIUS is now authorized to scrutinize investments in more sectors, especially those related to technology, critical infrastructure and data privacy.
In addition to CFIUS, a new development is the Reverse CFIUS program. This initiative reviews transactions where U.S. entities acquire foreign assets that could affect national security. As of 2025, companies must consider not only the benefits of international deals but also their security implications, particularly if foreign interests might gain control over U.S. entities.
With both CFIUS and Reverse CFIUS expanding their reach, U.S. companies looking to acquire foreign businesses need to consider national security risks carefully. Corporate intelligence experts are helping businesses navigate this increasingly intricate regulatory environment.
FCPA and Anti-Corruption: Decreased Enforcement?
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) has long been a cornerstone of the U.S. government’s anti-corruption strategy by prohibiting bribery of foreign officials by U.S. companies. Under the new administration, enforcement of this pillar of anti-corruption efforts has been suspended via an Executive Order by President Trump.
The decision to halt FCPA enforcement is both strange and unsettling. The legislation was part of a broader wave of anti-corruption measures adopted by many democracies and positioned the U.S. as a global leader in corporate governance. Now with the suspension of FCPA enforcement, the U.S. is an outlier and potentially signaling a tolerance for corruption that could undermine democratic institutions.
For law firms and corporate intelligence firms, this shift is particularly notable. The FCPA had led to an industry dedicated to ensuring compliance, with companies establishing rigorous anti-bribery policies along with compliance teams and training programs. In recent years, enforcement had become so effective that much of the compliance-related advisory work had decreased notably. However, with the suspension of FCPA enforcement, the risk landscape is shifting and companies may need to reassess their approach to ethical business practices in a more uncertain regulatory environment.
Preparing for the Future
In this increasingly complex landscape, companies must be proactive in addressing the growing regulatory challenges. Heightened sanctions, expanded CFIUS scrutiny, and shifting anti-corruption enforcement are reshaping how global business is done. To navigate this landscape successfully, businesses should broaden their partnerships with experts in corporate intelligence and security and appropriate legal counsel.
Interfor International, a leading global investigation and corporate intelligence firm, is at the forefront of helping companies mitigate these risks. Through comprehensive due diligence, risk analysis and intelligence services, we enable businesses to make informed decisions in a volatile world.