SelectUSA Summit: A Strong Call for Foreign Investment in the U.S. Economy

In a keynote address at the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, a senior U.S. official emphasized the critical role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in driving American economic growth. The summit, which connects international companies with U.S. investors and economic development partners, has generated over $135 billion in new investment projects since its launch in 2011.

Highlighting President Trump’s pro-business policies — from tax cuts and deregulation to trade reforms — the speaker described the current moment as pivotal for America’s economic future. “We’re making commercial investment a top priority,” he declared, reaffirming the administration’s openness to global partnerships.

The State Department supports this vision with over 1,000 commercial officers stationed at U.S. embassies worldwide. These officials actively help foreign investors connect with American public and private sectors, offering opportunities to tap into the world’s most dynamic and liquid capital markets.

The address was personal, too. Drawing on his family legacy and experience as a former ambassador to Mexico, the speaker underscored the diplomatic value of economic cooperation. “A good ambassador is, first and foremost, a good commercial attaché,” he quoted his diplomat father.

According to the 2025 Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, the U.S. remains the top destination for foreign direct investment for the 13th consecutive year. In just the first 100 days of this administration, more than $9 trillion in foreign investment commitments were secured — a testament to investor confidence in the U.S. economy.

The speaker closed with a dual invitation: for global firms to invest in the United States and for U.S. stakeholders to pursue opportunities abroad. “Commercial diplomacy is a two-way street,” he said. “Every investment is not only a business opportunity — it’s a diplomatic one.”