Long arm of U.S. law battles corruption overseas

None of America's business what other countries do in other countries. This appears like America is demanded protection money, or a cut in any illegal deals.

But if those countries do business in America we have the right to make it our business! If those companies don't like American laws they are welcome to pack their assets and go somewhere else.

what's a little graft under the table.

Well that's a fine, upstanding thing to do. Bribery is intended to gain undue influence and favours. Mmm, same as all those lobby groups. One is illegal and one is not, but they both try to gain undue influence. Can we expect to see lobby groups reined in too?

This is just another form of US protectionism. I would highly doubt those anti-bribery measures would be enforced against US firms with strong lobby ties in D.C.

The US is torch for the moral high ground.... all you need to do is check the headlines.....

Administration reworked SOLYNDRA loan to favor donor...

Top Obama fundraiser oversaw program, had ties to company...

'Reeks of the Chicago Way'...

Thank you zichi for stating the truth. The US has so many problems at home that need attention.

Many of you are so ready to attack the US for this. This is positive news. They are not mentioning the US companies because this article is showing that for many of the countries listed here, these types of investigations were not being conducted or enforced. The US is leading this charge and other countries are following suit. So this is not just the US, soon you may hear about Germany cracking down on some foreign company.

Other countries are following suit: Germany has stepped up use of its Anti-Corruption Act and Britain brought its Bribery Act into effect in July.

(read the article) The States right now are being the forerunners in this. Also, the US is not just attacking foreign companies, this is not random.

Foreign companies can be charged under the FCPA if they funnel the payments through their US offices or if their shares are traded in the United States, which is how Diageo and Bridgestone were snared. (read the article)

This is fair. It is absolutely my business if you want to operate a business in my country. If you plan to funnel your money through my country you are gonna do it by my rules or you can get out of my country. What Government just gives free reign to foreign companies?

Also, This article is talking about international business crimes. If they talk about US companies that gets off topic because that makes the topic domestic. So no they are not mentioning the US companies that are doing this and yes there are many doing it like many other countries duh, but once again that goes under domestic crime. So when one of these government groups that are following suit catches an american company you will see that. But for now this article is talking about how The US is paving the way for stricter enforcement of international laws. Stop attacking countries out of blind hatred and actually read the article. This is good stuff.

My grandfather had a deep dislike for the Japanese, and it wasn't due to the war: he worked for USAID, ensuring that American foreign aid dollars were used for the purpose intended with minimal waste. He told me that time and again, in the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka - pretty much everywhere, Japanese businesses would win USAID-funded contracts by bribing local officials.

That was decades ago, of course, but corruption is a nasty thing, and the US is right to do its part to curtail it.

The USA, Japan etc..all have corrupt officials, and this is just a step in the right direction for not only the USA but for all of the world, although I do like the Chinese way, arresting and making fine examples of corrupt officials with having a public execution here and there, we should learn from older Chinese culture too.

I wish them well, as it would be best for the world. However, I do think it will be a battle that will go on for years and years as bribery and corruption is entrenched in many countries (maybe all countries?). Until education and economies improve world wide, not only in the first world, but the third world too the US authorities are going to be very busy.

Al Stewart is exactly right. He said it perfectly. Also, I would suggest for some of you to actually READ the article and educate yourself on how the world works. It appears some here have this imaginary world dreamt up in your heads where the "United States" is one whole entity controlled by one person who decides everything. If you could even remember your elementary education, you would know there are so many branches and sections of Governments that are unrelated. "Fixing things at home in the US' has absolutely nothing to do with the agency in the Justice Department making crackdowns in foreign countries, it's not their job.

Anything that reduces corruption is good. Other countries should enforce or create their anti-corruption laws on companies doing business there, whether local, American, European, Asian, or otherwise. No upstanding country wants to be a haven for corruption.

None of America's business what other countries do in other countries.

Businesses doing business in the United States are subject to the laws established in the United States. Bridgestone? Check. Diageo? Check. Siemens? Check. If you don't want to do business in a country legally, stay out of the country or accept the consequences of your misdeeds when you're caught.