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EU proposes to tighten the screws on foreign investment screening

EU proposes to tighten the screws on foreign investment screening

Last week, the European Union proposed a number of initiatives to strengthen economic security. Among them: changes to address shortcomings in existing screening mechanisms, and a “step-by-step analysis of outbound investments.” Details, white papers, fact sheets, and proposals inside.

Congressional leaders propose bill in wake of GAO report on Ag data

Congressional leaders propose bill in wake of GAO report on Ag data

Well, that didn’t take long. Fresh on the heels of a GAO report about flawed data regarding foreign agricultural transactions in the U.S., a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders have proposed a bill that would improve the tracking of foreign investment in farmland. Details, draft inside.

Data on foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land flawed, outdated

Data on foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land flawed, outdated

According to a new report, U.S. data on foreign investments in agricultural land are outdated and incomplete. As a result, “CFIUS does not currently have regular and timely access” to the data for national security reviews. Details, the report, context, and recommendations are inside.

Air Force has “proximity playbook” for assessing risks, and we have it

Air Force has “proximity playbook” for assessing risks, and we have it

Buried deep inside a report on the quality of foreign agricultural holdings data was news that the U.S. Air Force had developed a yet-to-be published “playbook” for assessing the national-security risk of agricultural land near military installations. Foreign Investment Watch was given a copy, inside.

Exclusive: Former Treasury DAS on CFIUS trends, predictions and more

Exclusive: Former Treasury DAS on CFIUS trends, predictions and more

Until just a few weeks ago, Brian Reissaus was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Ops at Treasury, where he managed Treasury’s role as chair of CFIUS. We caught up with Reissaus during the holiday season, played some true-false, and had him look into his crystal ball for 2024.

Survey: CFIUS imposing mitigation agreements without negotiations?

Survey: CFIUS imposing mitigation agreements without negotiations?

We’ve now heard from multiple parties claiming that CFIUS has imposed mitigation agreements on a permanent basis without negotiating with the transaction parties. Experts say this would be an important development with unintended consequences. We’re collecting data inside…

Congressional letters to Treasury seek action on foreign transactions

Congressional letters to Treasury seek action on foreign transactions

Last week, Congressional leaders from Kansas and Montana sent letters to the Biden Administration requesting that CFIUS review specific transactions in their states. Both deals involved investors or corporations tied to the Chinese Communist Party. Details, the letters, and context are inside.

Schneider Electric’s CLO on dealing with CFIUS, assessing risks, more

Schneider Electric’s CLO on dealing with CFIUS, assessing risks, more

Right before the new year, we sat down with Peter Wexler, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at the $36 billion energy management firm Schneider Electric. We talked with Wexler about his experience interacting with CFIUS, how he mitigates potential national security risks, and more.

Now accepting nominations for our annual list of “Top Advisors 2024”

Now accepting nominations for our annual list of “Top Advisors 2024”

It’s that time of year again! We’re now taking nominations for our 2024 “Top Advisors” list, which includes experts who provide advice and counsel regarding national-security reviews of foreign investments in the U.S. and abroad. Nominations are due by Feb. 16, 2024. Get ’em in now, folks!

Missouri is latest state to bar foreign adversaries from purchasing land

Missouri is latest state to bar foreign adversaries from purchasing land

As we’ve been covering extensively, numerous U.S. states (and even cities) have taken action to regulate foreign investment within their borders. Add Missouri to the list. Last week, Governor Mike Parson restricted the purchase of agricultural land near the state’s military facilities. Details inside.

Exclusive: CFIUS official opines on ’24 priorities, staffing hires, more

Exclusive: CFIUS official opines on ’24 priorities, staffing hires, more

Last week, Foreign Investment Watch spent some time with a senior CFIUS official, who provided updates on recent staffing changes, and insights into the Committee’s priorities for 2024. According to the official, the first tranche of proposed changes to FIRRMA may come as early as Q1. Details inside.

Committee wants to give CFIUS additional authorities, new tools

Committee wants to give CFIUS additional authorities, new tools

Based on recent hearings and industry meetings, the Select Committee has published a policy paper with a staggering 150 recommendations for countering China. The document outlines flaws in the CFIUS model, and suggests tactics to improve the approach to national security. Details, report inside.

Pension funds, colleges investing billions in China; outbound impact?

Pension funds, colleges investing billions in China; outbound impact?

Most U.S. public pension funds and universities have committed massive amounts of capital to China, including investments in sensitive technologies. That’s according to a new report, which claims that the proposed outbound review regime could be undermined by this activity. Details, report inside.

Compliance reminder: FCC foreign holder information deadline in Jan.

Compliance reminder: FCC foreign holder information deadline in Jan.

The FCC has finally published information on the one-time collection of information that it is requiring regarding foreign ownership. The filing deadline will be January of 2024, and authorization holders will need to certify the accuracy of the information provided. Some exemptions apply. Details inside.

Raimondo wants more money for BIS; China Select says ‘hold on…’

Raimondo wants more money for BIS; China Select says ‘hold on…’

At a defense industry forum last week, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that her Department, particularly the Bureau of Industry and Security, needs additional funds to protect America. Almost immediately after her remarks, the House Select Committee pushed back. Details inside.

More countries making progress on their investment screening regimes

More countries making progress on their investment screening regimes

Countries throughout the world continue to mature their investment screening regimes, or — in the case of Ireland — unveil their first ones. We have details inside, including an update on Mexico, which has signed an agreement with the Treasury Department to cooperate and share best practices. More inside.

USCC would expand CFIUS powers, assess impact of new controls, more

USCC would expand CFIUS powers, assess impact of new controls, more

In its latest report to Congress, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission issued a flurry of recommendations, including expanding the authority of CFIUS to review transactions that could support “foreign acquisition of capabilities to attain technological self-sufficiency.” Details inside.

UK government already looking for national security regime feedback

UK government already looking for national security regime feedback

The National Security and Investment Act hasn’t even been in force for two full years, but the UK government is already seeking feedback from the business community about the way investments are being screened for national security. Details on the “Call for Evidence” is inside.