The United States is well-established as the prime destination for foreign direct investment due to its unparalleled efforts in facilitating international capital flows and sustaining open markets. As part of this policy, the U.S. Department of Commerce promotes foreign direct investment through the Invest in America program and through its U.S. and Foreign Commercial Services offices overseas. Invest in America complements U.S. state and local efforts to promote investment, focusing on outreach to international investors and addressing investor inquiries. Invest in America also serves as an ombudsman for the international investment community, working across the federal government to address investor concerns.
The United States has benefited tremendously from this open investment policy. In 2008 alone, the United States received approximately $316.1 billion in foreign direct investment. The Department of Commerce recognizes that such foreign investment helps drive the U.S. economy by contributing to job creation, economic vitality, and innovation.
U.S. subsidiaries of foreign-owned firms are woven into the fabric of the American economy. They support 5.3 million U.S. jobs, spend tens of billions on research and development annually, and pay salaries totaling hundreds of billions of dollars. Foreign firms can be assured that the United States provides a transparent and nondiscriminatory investment climate, where both domestic and foreign-owned companies are treated equally. We encourage foreign investors to contribute to our economic growth.
The U.S. Department of Commerce is dedicated to ensuring that the United States continues to offer the most hospitable environment to investors. As Secretary of Commerce, I intend to further strengthen our vital connection with the international investment community and to maintain the United States’ commitment to open investment.
Sincerely,
Gary Locke
Secretary,
United States Department of Commerce