Direct Investment by Country and Industry

The U.S. direct investment abroad position, or cumulative level of investment, increased $244.9 billion to $6.15 trillion at the end of 2020 from $5.91 trillion at the end of 2019, according to statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The increase reflected a $158.8 billion increase in the position in Europe, primarily in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. By industry, holding company affiliates owned by U.S. manufacturers had the largest increase.

The foreign direct investment in the United States position increased $187.2 billion to $4.63 trillion at the end of 2020 from $4.44 trillion at the end of 2019. The increase mainly reflected a $119.2 billion increase in the position from Europe, primarily Germany. By industry, affiliates in manufacturing, finance and insurance, and wholesale trade accounted for the majority of the increase.