Foreign Investment

Foreign investment involves individuals, companies, or governments from outside the United States investing in American businesses, real estate, or infrastructure. This capital inflow plays a crucial role in strengthening the U.S. economy by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and expanding industrial capacity. At the same time, the government carefully manages these investments to protect national security and critical sectors, ensuring a balanced approach to economic openness and safety.

How the Government Reviews Foreign Investment

The federal government scrutinizes certain foreign investments to assess potential national security risks. Learn how the Department of Commerce reviews foreign investments for national security risks, focusing on sectors like defense, advanced technology, healthcare, infrastructure, and sensitive real estate near military or critical sites.

Economic Benefits of Foreign Investment

When effectively managed, foreign investment brings significant benefits to the American economy. Discover how foreign investment benefits the American economy by increasing exports, improving productivity, generating well-paying jobs, and driving technological advancements across multiple industries.

Recent Policy and Strategic Partnerships

In February 2025, the America First Investment Policy reshaped foreign investment regulations by streamlining approvals for investors from allied nations and imposing stricter controls on investments from countries considered foreign adversaries. This policy emphasizes protecting strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, while encouraging beneficial investments from trusted partners. An example of this approach is how a South Korean shipbuilder plans to revive American shipbuilding, illustrating the potential for foreign partnerships to boost U.S. manufacturing and defense capabilities.