Self-judging "essential security interest" clauses permit a state to act as "it considers necessary" for the protection of such interests. This Perspective examines trends in their diffusion and scope, and outlines suggestions for treaty drafters to consider when balancing the desire for...

This Perspective outlines the avenues, and potential obstacles, that may be encountered when a foreign investor challenges a state's invocation of national security interests in an international arbitration setting. This Perspective additionally considers the implications that increasingly...

The authors argue that a WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement needs a strong responsible business conduct provision, as such a provision helps to increase the contribution that FDI can make to sustainable development. They suggest some elements of such a provision.

Efforts to build specialized skills in government for negotiating international investment contracts often have little value for reasons discussed in this Perspective; even private firms hire advisors for skills needed infrequently. However, the Perspective proposes special circumstances and...

Countries offer hundreds of billions of dollars for semiconductor, electric vehicles and renewable energy projects, super-charging a global FDI incentives race. This Perspective suggests that countries providing incentives should do that in a manner that results in wider benefits for the host...

This first Perspective forecasts an FDI recession in the coming year.

A revaluation of the Chinese yuan would affect the country's inward and outward FDI, not just its exports and imports. The impact on FDI inflows to China would be both positive and negative. On the other hand, revaluation is likely to provide a strong boost to overseas investments by China's...

Twenty years ago, in the inaugural issue of the World Investment Report, the United Nations highlighted a shift in the global pattern of foreign direct investment (FDI) from bipolar, dominated by the United States and the European Community, to tri-polar (the FDI Triad), dominated by the...

This Perspective ranks all Chinese provinces in terms of their performance in attracting foreign direct investment, examines the reasons for the high unevenness of this performance and makes some policy suggestions on how to deal with it.

State-controlled entities (SCEs) – especially state-owned enterprises (SOEs) – are important players in the world FDI market. Among the 100 largest MNEs from developed countries and the 100 largest from emerging markets, at least 49 are SOEs. They control nearly US$ 2 trillion in foreign...