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Foreign Direct Investment: Background and Issues

Both inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDJ)
are significant to the U.S. economy, international trade, and
global supply chains, and form a key component of U.S.
trade policy. Traditionally, the United States has supported
a rules-based and open investment environment
domestically and internationally to promote U.S. economic
growth and other policy objectives, such as ensuring that
the United States remains a premier destination for FDJ and
ensuring the competitiveness of U.S companies overseas.
U.S. investment policy includes negotiating rules and
market access commitments concerning FDJ in free trade
agreements (FTAs) and bilateral investment treaties (BITs),
and administering investment promotion programs. At the
same time, the United States maintains a foreign investment
review regime to review a small share of inbound
transactions that may pose a risk to U.S. national security;
many other countries have such policies in place.
What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
FDI occurs when a resident of one country obtains a lasting
interest in, and a degree of influence over the management, of a
business enterprise in another country (commonly defined as
10% or more of the voting securities or equivalent interest). FDI
can take the form of the establishment of new operations
(greenfield investments), the purchase of existing operations
(mergers and acquisitions, M&As), or the addition of capital to
existing operations. It is distinct from portfolio investment, i.e.,
ownership of stocks, bonds, or other financial assets.
In June 2021, President Biden reflected these policy aims,
reiterating the U.S. commitment to an open investment
posture to treat all investors fairly and equitably under the
law and maintain a level playing field, while
acknowledging that the government would review certain
foreign investments to protect national security. In recent
years, Congress has enacted laws affecting U.S. investment
policy, driven by a number of policy concerns, including
the potential security and competiveness risks posed by
China's investments in the United States and overseas.
There is ongoing debate among various stakeholders about
policies governing foreign investment and certain investor
protections in U.S. trade agreements.
Globally, FDI flows rebounded in 2021, surpassing pre-
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic levels.
Recovery, however, was uneven; developed economies
attracted more FDI than developing economies, and flows
were concentrated in international project finance deals.
Cross-border M&As were a big driver of U.S. FDI inflows.
The United States is the world's largest source and recipient
of direct investment. In 2021, on a market value basis, U.S.
direct investment abroad (USDIA) stock stood at $11.0
trillion, while FDI stock in the United States totaled $14.8
trillion (Figure 1). From 2005 to 2021, USDIA more than

quadrupled, while FDI into the United States nearly tripled
(not adjusting for inflation). As a share of U.S.
multinational enterprise (MINE) activity worldwide, in
2020, U.S. parent companies accounted for 67% of
employment, 74% of value-added, 78% of capital
expenditures, and 86% of research and development.
Figure I. U.S. Direct Investment Position: Market
Value (Stock), 2005-2021

WI position (stock) at market val
$16 Trillions
$12
$8

ForignDirct $14.8
Ut $11.0

,rt

$0              I I  I I I  I I I  I I  I I I
2005        2010        2015        2020
Source: CRS with data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
On a historical-cost basis, most USDJA (stock) was in high-
income countries. By region, Europe is the top U.S.
investment partner, accounting for 61% of U.S. outbound
investment and 64% of U.S. inbound FDJ (Figure 2). By
sector, in 2021, USDJA was mainly in holding companies
(47%); financial services (16%); and manufacturing (14%),
particularly chemicals. The largest share of U.S. inbound
FDJ (42%) was in manufacturing, again mainly chemicals.
Figure 2.U.S. Direct Investment Position: Historical-
Cost Basis (Stock), 2021I
U.S.. $ billions
Eta -.- 3$3,981
Can aa  $0
52          Hstorical-cost basis
Asia & Pacifi(sok
$9 71        US7. Dlrect Investment
LA & West. He      $11       Ara $,8
S240~~ Foeg Direct Investment
Middle East $8te1. $,7
$42
Afia$45           2021, in ail counitnes
Source: CRS with data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Key Deae         an   kse      fo '  _- r Congress
At the intersection of many competing interests, U.S.
investment policy has been the subject of long-standing
debate. According to some policymakers, foreign
investment allows U.S. firms to expand in global markets,
and attracts capital and businesses to the United States that

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