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Report shows extent of Energy Dept. collaboration with China

Report shows extent of Energy Dept. collaboration with China

A new 120-page report has identified thousands of Department of Energy-funded research papers that were conducted in partnership with entities tied to China’s defense research and industrial base. The report blames “decades-long failures” to implement security and other measures. Details, report inside.

China’s foreign lending portfolio is “vastly larger” than expected

China’s foreign lending portfolio is “vastly larger” than expected

A new report shines a first-ever spotlight on China’s opaque lending and grant-giving activity, tracking more than 30,000 projects in 179 countries. According to the report, China’s use of exotic credit instruments and shell companies has rendered much of its portfolio invisible. Details, report inside.

Nine recommendations for fixing CFIUS efficiency; “ripe for reform”

Nine recommendations for fixing CFIUS efficiency; “ripe for reform”

It’s been seven years since FIRRMA was signed, and a group of national security experts says there is now enough data on “friction points” to make some very specific recommendations for improving CFIUS processes, making it more effective and efficient. Details, recommendation, and related report inside.

Impact of the shutdown: What happened, what’s next for CFIUS?

Impact of the shutdown: What happened, what’s next for CFIUS?

According to a survey conducted during the shutdown, the vast majority of transaction parties (90.9%) experienced significant or moderate delays with CFIUS, and many (72.8%) received no or limited communications from the Committee. With the shutdown now over, will the floodgates open?

Understanding where U.S. and EU policies diverge on China matters

Understanding where U.S. and EU policies diverge on China matters

A new report from a nonpartisan think tank has mapped out where the U.S. and European Union diverge on policies related to China. While the U.S. and Europe were largely aligned during and after the Cold War, the EU “has fallen behind the U.S. shift from engagement to balancing.” Details inside.

EU investment screening report shows M&A, greenfields down in ’24

EU investment screening report shows M&A, greenfields down in ’24

Last week, the European Union published its fifth annual report on foreign investment screening. Member states notified 477 investments into the FDI mechanism; the vast majority (92%) were closed within two weeks. Only 8% required in-depth security risk assessment. Details, report inside.

Foreign investment “restrictiveness index” on global policies updated

Foreign investment “restrictiveness index” on global policies updated

An international organization that promotes policies to improve economic growth has updated its FDI restrictiveness index, which compares policies across more than 100 economies. The report notes that FDI restrictions have eased over time, but the pace of liberalization is slowing down. Details, report inside.

Report reveals gaps in preparedness for national security compliance 

Report reveals gaps in preparedness for national security compliance 

A new 20-page report offers insights on how organizations are responding to national security compliance risks. The report found “critical gaps in both preparedness and alignment” on topics ranging from export controls and supply-chain security to fraud protection and sanctions. Details, report inside.

Report: China is circumventing U.S. tariffs through Mexico and Canada

Report: China is circumventing U.S. tariffs through Mexico and Canada

A nonpartisan think tank has published a report that outlines how China has been working to circumvent U.S. tariffs via transshipment programs, supply chain integration, and foreign direct investment. The authors note that the moves are legal, so will require coordination — a topic we covered last week.

Report: Chinese exploiting U.S. government research, DOD funds

Report: Chinese exploiting U.S. government research, DOD funds

A new 79-page report explains how the Chinese Communist Party has gained access to U.S. government-funded research. The report found a “pervasive and deeply troubling pattern” of research being conducted with entities tied to China’s defense industrial base. Details, report, data inside.

Global FDI falls; wide gaps in EU, North American investment policies

Global FDI falls; wide gaps in EU, North American investment policies

A massive new 278-page UN report notes, among other things, significant “regional disparities” in FDI screening globally. In Europe, for example, 78% of newly adopted investment policies seem to favor investors. In North America, 92% were less favorable to investors. Details, full report inside.

CFIUS filings down again; are cos. comfortable with non-notified risk?

CFIUS filings down again; are cos. comfortable with non-notified risk?

The latest CFIUS Report to Congress was just published, and the document raises more questions than it answers. Here’s one: If France has less than one-fifth the FDI inflows of the U.S., why did the French review more foreign investment transactions than CFIUS? Details, report and insights are inside.

TID status, transaction size aren’t good predictors of NNT outreach

TID status, transaction size aren’t good predictors of NNT outreach

For the first time, a global law firm has provided extensive details on the non-notified transactions it has handled. The report covers topics such as the passage of time from transaction close to NNT inquiry, the number (and rounds) of questions from CFIUS, and more. Details and the report are inside.

New research analyzes state activity on foreign ownership regulation 

New research analyzes state activity on foreign ownership regulation 

A new study on state legislation provides independent data on more than 140 bills and actions from 6,700 state legislators related to regulation of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. According to the study, only 63 percent of related bills came from legislators associated with the Republican party.

New DHS threat report: Economic espionage, influence key 2025 risks

New DHS threat report: Economic espionage, influence key 2025 risks

The Department of Homeland Security has published its annual Homeland Threat Analysis, which provides insights into the most “pressing threats” to the U.S. during the next fiscal year. The new report debuts a section called “Economic Espionage and Influence.” Details, report inside.

Report says “hundreds of millions” in U.S. research has helped China

Report says “hundreds of millions” in U.S. research has helped China

A new report shows how the Chinese defense industry has benefited from technological advances developed by U.S. funded researchers. Specifically, joint institutes between researchers in the U.S. and China have served as conduits for transferring critical technologies to China. Details, report inside.

Behind the numbers: Fewer filings, NNTs and site visits; more penalties

Behind the numbers: Fewer filings, NNTs and site visits; more penalties

Last week, CFIUS released its annual report to Congress. The report finally shined some light on the penalties issued by the Committee, and provided additional details on site visits and other compliance metrics. Lots of interesting data, and we’ve got highlights, experts insights, and the complete report.

Chinese greenfield investments in EU surge despite M&A slowdown

Chinese greenfield investments in EU surge despite M&A slowdown

According to a new report, Chinese investments in Europe dropped to the lowest levels since 2010, and the value of Chinese M&A fell 58% in 2023. China’s economic challenges and increased scrutiny of foreign investment into Europe certainly played a role. The outlier? Chinese greenfield investments.

New report quantifies risk of outbound investments in China

New report quantifies risk of outbound investments in China

A new report says that U.S. investment funds “generally avoid” sanctioned security issuers in China, but that they “struggle to steer fully clear” of them. At the same time, actively managed funds have relatively low exposure to sanctioned and blacklisted Chinese cos. Details, report inside.

Report includes blueprint for states to regulate foreign RE investment

Report includes blueprint for states to regulate foreign RE investment

A conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, has published a report that, among other things, criticizes current attempts to regulate foreign investment, and proposes model legislation that states can utilize to combat China’s “land grabs” of U.S. land. Details and the report are inside.