Treasury ramps up national security measures against foreign investments

In a recent government meeting, officials highlighted significant advancements in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and its efforts to bolster national security through enhanced regulatory measures. The Treasury Department reported a near doubling of its team dedicated to modern reinforcement missions, resulting in a notable increase in enforcement actions. In 2023 alone, CFIUS imposed four civil monetary penalties for violations of mitigation agreements, a figure that doubles previous years' totals.

For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, CFIUS issued subpoenas to enforce its national security mandate. The committee has intensified its efforts to identify transactions that were not voluntarily reported, screening thousands of potential deals to assess risks to national security. A notable case involved a transaction blocked by President Biden, which was flagged through a public tip.

The Treasury is also working on regulatory enhancements to expand CFIUS's jurisdiction over real estate transactions and improve its investigation and enforcement capabilities. Collaboration with international allies has been emphasized, with over 300 engagements reported in 2023 and 2024. Since 2019, around 30 countries have expanded their foreign investment review regimes with U.S. support.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the implementation of President Biden's outbound investment security program, with a proposed budget request of $16.7 million for the initiative. The Department of Commerce, represented by its Assistant Secretary, underscored its role in supporting U.S. industry competitiveness and analyzing supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly in critical sectors like semiconductors.

The meeting concluded with a call for Congress to support funding for these national security initiatives, emphasizing their importance in safeguarding U.S. economic interests and technological leadership.