CBPP hosts policy forum on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

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On May 31, in the Rayburn House Office building, the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy hosted a Georgetown on the Hill policy forum on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Foreign companies have invested more in the United States than in any other country in the world. In an interactive forum, including audience Q+A, a panel of experts discussed the significance of FDI, its impact on U.S. employment, and the dynamics of and prospects for its growth. The panel discussion was moderated by J. Bradford Jensen, Senior Policy Scholar, Center for Business and Public Policy and McCrane/Shaker Chair in International Business, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. Panelists included:

  • Erin Ennis, Senior Vice President, U.S.-China Business Council
  • Nicholas Evans, Vice President, CGI (Consultants to Government and Industry), U.S. Government Relations 
  • Nancy McLernon, President and CEO, Organization for International Investment
  • Lindsay Oldenski, Associate Professor, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

Jensen introduced the panelists and launched the discussion.  Oldenski offered an overview of the scope and nature of inward FDI and its contribution to U.S. employment, among other dimensions. McLernon provided an overview of dominant policy issues that shape the prospects for foreign-based companies that invest and create jobs in the United States such as Nestlé, Siemens, Airbus, and Toyota.  Evans illuminated with examples of CGI’s experience and shared how FDI can lead to both the training and employment of U.S. workers and help rebuild and strengthen communities.  Ennis described how Chinese investment in the U.S. is growing and special policy challenges, including the importance of a U.S.-China bilateral investment treaty.  

Media Coverage

Politico.com: 6/1/2017 – Panelist Erin Ennis comments  about the progress of the bilateral investment treaty between the U.S. and China.

This seminar is part of the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy’s Georgetown on the Hill series at which we convene policymakers, academics, and industry experts to discuss important economic policy issues of the day.