The Trump family business has released a voluntary ethics agreement that allows it to engage in deals with private foreign companies, potentially opening the door for outside actors to seek influence with the new administration. This move represents a departure from President-elect Donald Trump's first term, as the agreement now permits deals with private companies abroad while barring direct deals with foreign governments.
The Trump Organization has committed to several safeguards aimed at preventing private financial interests from shaping policy, including hiring an outside ethics adviser to vet deals. The company has recently struck deals for hotels and golf resorts in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, raising concerns among government ethics experts about potential conflicts of interest.
