Enforcement Priorities Take Shape Around the World

Although companies should expect continued vigorous enforcement from U.S. regulatory authorities, public statements from officials at these agencies indicate a desire to better target enforcement actions while continuing to rely on cooperation and self-reporting. We also offer a closer look at the SEC's priorities in year two of the Trump administration. Increased collaboration among agencies also seems to be on the radar, a development that would be welcomed by multinational companies, which can face enforcement actions in multiple jurisdictions, including in China (where the government issued guidance to state-owned entities advising them to control overseas enforcement risks) and throughout Europe (where tightly enforced anti-corruption laws, the use of deferred prosecution agreements and individual accountability are all on the rise).