Foreign investment in the United States (2024)

According to UNCTAD'sWorld Investment Report 2023, FDI flows to the U.S. stood at USD 285 billion in 2022. Albeit a 26.5% decrease year-on-year (due to the halving of cross-border M&A values), the U.S. were still the biggest recipient of FDI worldwide. The decline in mergers and acquisitions directly influenced the equity portion of FDI, experiencing a 35% drop. Inflows notably decreased in the chemicals, computer and electronic products, and finance sectors. However, the information and communication industry maintained its status as the largest recipient, with a USD 51 billion influx, marking a 21% rise from 2021. For the year as a whole, a total of 2,075 greenfield investment announcements were made, the largest number globally. The U.S. FDI stock reached USD 10.46 trillion in 2022, around 41.1% of the country’s GDP. According to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration, the main investing countries in the U.S. are Japan (USD 721 billion), Canada (USD 607.2 billion), Germany (USD 498.6 billion), and the United Kingdom (USD 439 billion), with Europe as a whole accounting for USD 2.8 trillion. Foreign direct investment in the United States remains centred on the manufacturing sector, representing 42.4% of the total investment. Additionally, substantial investments are observed in finance and insurance (10.6%) as well as wholesale trade (9.7%). The latest data available from the OECD shows that in the first semester of 2023, FDI inflows to the U.S. totalled USD 189.5 billion, marking an 8.4% increase compared to the same period one year earlier.

Investing through FDI in the United States offers several advantages, including access to a large and diverse market, a stable political environment, advanced infrastructure, a skilled labour force, and robust legal protections for investors. Additionally, the U.S. has a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering opportunities for growth and development. However, there are also potential disadvantages to consider, including high operational costs, complex regulatory requirements, fierce competition, and potential cultural and communication challenges when operating in a diverse and dynamic market like the U.S. Additionally, political and policy changes can impact investment conditions and may introduce uncertainty for foreign investors. On 15 September 2022, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order providing formal guidance to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) on factors to be considered when conducting national security reviews of FDI. Executive Order 14083 “Ensuring Robust Consideration of Evolving National Security Risks by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States” directs CFIUS to consider five specific factors: i) the transaction's effect on the resilience of critical U.S. supply chains; ii) the transaction's effect on U.S. technological leadership in specified industries; iii) investment trends that may have consequences for a given transaction's impact on national security; iv) cybersecurity risks; v) risks to U.S. persons' sensitive data.
The U.S. ranks 3rd among the 132 economies on theGlobal Innovation Index 2023,25th out of 184 countries on the2023 Index of Economic Freedom, and 24th in the latest Corruption Perception Index.

Foreign investment in the United States (2024)

FAQs

How much foreign investment is there in the USA? ›

Direct Investment by Country and Industry, 2022

The foreign direct investment in the United States position increased $216.8 billion to $5.25 trillion at the end of 2022 from $5.04 trillion at the end of 2021.

Is America a good foreign market to invest in? ›

The United States has always provided foreign investors a stable and welcoming market. As a place to do business, the United States offers a predictable and transparent legal system, low taxes, outstanding infrastructure, and access to the world's most lucrative consumer market.

How much of the U.S. economy is foreign-owned? ›

For the year as a whole, a total of 2,075 greenfield investment announcements were made, the largest number globally. The U.S. FDI stock reached USD 10.46 trillion in 2022, around 41.1% of the country's GDP.

Is foreign investment also a key to U.S. economic growth? ›

FDI can foster and maintain economic growth, in both the recipient country and the country making the investment.

Who is the biggest investor in the USA? ›

In 2022, no country had a higher foreign direct investment (FDI) position in the United States than Japan, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada. At that time, Japan had over 711 billion U.S. dollars invested in the United States.

How does foreign investment help the U.S. government? ›

International investment pays large and important dividends for the U.S. economy and American workers by increasing exports, improving productivity, creating jobs, and raising wages.

Which country invests most in the USA? ›

A few countries provided the majority of the $5 trillion in cumulative direct investment in the United States by the end of 2021. Japan was the single largest overseas investor, constituting nearly 15 percent of total cumulative foreign direct investment holdings.

Which country has the most foreign investment? ›

10 Countries That Receive the Most Foreign Direct Investment
  • U.S.
  • U.K.
  • China.
  • Netherlands.
  • Ireland.
  • Brazil.
  • Singapore.
  • Germany.

How are foreign investments affecting the U.S. economy? ›

Foreign direct investment impacts the U.S. economy in many positive ways. For example, FDI: Creates New Jobs: U.S. affiliates of foreign companies (majority-owned) employ approximately 5.3 million U.S. workers, or 4.6% of private industry employment.

What country is the world's largest foreign investor? ›

Source: OECD International Direct Investment Statistics database. The top recipients of FDI inflows worldwide in Q3 2023 were the United States (USD 73 billion), and Ireland (USD 26 billion); Canada and Brazil both equally ranked as third largest FDI recipient (USD 15 billion).

Which country is the world's largest foreign investment? ›

The United States has been ranked as the top destination for foreign direct investment for the 12th consecutive year according to Kearney's Global Business Policy Council's 2024 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index .

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