FDI in the United States, Quarter One 2021

Foreign direct investment in the United States (FDIUS) totaled nearly $67 billion in the first-quarter 2021. This is down 15 percent from the previous quarter. Net equity flows decreased from $51 billion in fourth-quarter 2020 to $29 billion in the last quarter. Reinvestment of earnings were up 23 percent to $39 billion from the previous quarter.

Foreign direct investment in the United States in 2020 was $164 billion, making it the weakest year for FDIUS over the past decade. Two record-breaking years of FDIUS were recorded in 2015 and 2016, at $484 billion and $480 billion, respectively. While the United States remains an attractive investment location, global competition for foreign investment dollars is increasing as more developing countries position themselves as investment destinations.